Condemning the controversial statement by Maulana Tauqeer Raza, VHP President Alok Kumar on Thursday termed him a "terror organisation" and sought a ban along with the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, as through his comments, he had shown his "distorted mentality".
In an interview with IANS, Alok Kumar said everybody knows what happens in the name of Jihad in this country. Does that become "right to attack those who are not Muslims, to loot, to kill, to kidnap women, and to claim that all of this is ordained by Allah?" Hinduism teaches peace. After every mantra, we say 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti' thrice". How can we be considered a terrorist organisation, he said.
IANS: He blamed the lynchings on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, accusing RSS shakhas of working to divide the country between Hindus and Muslims. What is your reaction to this?
Alok Kumar: I don't get any surprise from these comments because Maulana Tauqeer Raza is a representative of Barelvi branch of Sunni Muslims. In this country, people know what Jihad means-attacking non-Muslims, looting and killing, kidnapping women, and saying all this is approved by Allah.
This is said by people of such distorted mentalities. Hinduism preaches peace; after every mantra, we say 'Om Shanti Shanti Shanti' thrice. We believe in the Constitution and the rule of law. In the history of the world, nobody has been forcibly converted to Hinduism.
These are absolutely baseless accusations. VHP and Bajrang Dal do not believe in lynching or violence. We believe that any person who takes the law into his hands and commits violence is misguided.
Maulana Tauqeer Raza is trying to insult and call for a ban on Hindu nationalist forces. We are not afraid of such statements, nor do they deter us from our path.
IANS: While on one hand, the Maulana Tauqeer Raza praised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath; on the other hand, he criticised the law and order situation, stating that criminals are given a free hand to harm Muslims. Comments?
Alok Kumar: I oppose this. The government had the courage and ability to prosecute terrorists in court. They were brought to justice, and proper arrangements were made to maintain law and order in Uttar Pradesh. As for his claim, I challenge him to name any Muslim who has been wronged illegally. I believe he won't find any.
IANS: He said that Maulana Tauqeer Raza said what happened in Bengal is happening everywhere and the Uttarakhand government is trying to cover up the incident involving a nurse, blaming the BJP and Hindu nationalist organisations. How true is this?
Alok Kumar: Far from that, I think every woman-be it one's mother or sister-must be protected. That is the kind of reaction a crime against women should provoke, irrespective of which party is at the helm of affairs. Any government that does not protect women needs to be condemned. I am sure the Uttarakhand government will probe the matters in hand, collect the evidence, and punish the guilty.
IANS: Maulana Tauqeer Raza also warns if even one per cent of Muslims rise, it will be tough to respond. He says that they've been holding back, but the government is mistaking their silence for weakness. To this, what do you say?
Alok Kumar: He is threatening because if they dare to, they will get an answer. Hindus know how to defend themselves against such threats, which mean nothing. In India, the rule of law is preeminent and shall take its due course. If anybody acts recklessly, he will be punished.
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