Saharanpur, Aug 10 (IANS) Congress MP Imran Masood has strongly criticised All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi over his controversial remarks on Kanwariyas, saying the cleric does not deserve to be referred to as a ‘Maulana’ and accusing him of acting as a “middleman” for monetary gains.
The remarks came as devotees across the country are observing the holy month of Shravan with prayers and religious ceremonies dedicated to Lord Shiva. Rashidi’s comments referring to Kanwar Yatra pilgrims as “terrorists” have triggered widespread outrage.
In his controversial remarks, Rashidi alleged that several people participating in the Kanwar Yatra do not undertake the pilgrimage out of religious devotion but participate after consuming intoxicants and subsequently create disturbances in public places.
Speaking to IANS, Rashidi had said, “You call those who sit on roads consuming alcohol and intoxicants devotees of Lord Shiva? You call those who assault police personnel in uniform Shiv Bhakts? You call those who smash the windows of a school van and injure children Shiv Bhakts? You even call those who stop an ambulance carrying a patient and force people to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ Shiv Bhakts? They are not Shiv Bhakts; they are terrorists.”
A case has been registered against Rashidi at the Civil Lines police station in Muzaffarnagar district for making objectionable remarks about Kanwariyas.
Reacting sharply to Rashidi’s remarks, Masood told IANS, “He is not a Maulana. Let me make that clear first — he cannot be called a Maulana. He engages in such ‘dalaali’ (middleman): he is involved in the TRP game, he takes money from channels, or is paid to appear on television channels. He has nothing to do with Islam. He tries to spread the agenda of hatred.”
Masood also highlighted the tradition of communal harmony in Saharanpur and welcomed Kanwariyas at a Kanwar Seva Camp by showering flowers and distributing ‘prasad’ among the devotees.
“This is the culture of Saharanpur, and it is part of our tradition that we celebrate all festivals together. As every year, our associates have set up several Kanwar camps this year as well. They set up these camps every year, and we all participate in them. Such camps are organised across Saharanpur,” he said.
Masood’s comments came amid the ongoing controversy over Rashidi’s remarks, which have drawn criticism from several quarters for making objectionable statements about Kanwariyas and the Kanwar Yatra.
–IANS
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