Imam denies statement

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 15. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmad Bukhari, today denied that he had warned of ``serious repercussions'' in India if the country allowed its airbases to U.S. for strikes against Afghanistan.

Mr. Bukhari, whose reported statement attracted demands of his arrest by the saffron brigade, told UNI over phone from Uttar Pradesh that he had only said that such strikes would lead to a massive loss of lives and property in Afghanistan.

He said he had convened a meeting of his advisory council in the capital tomorrow to decide on the Jama Masjid's approach on the issue.

Hindu outfits protest

Several Hindu outfits today strongly reacted to the reported warning of the Delhi Imam against India and demanded his immediate arrest on treason charges.

Scores of Shiv Sainiks led by the party's northern India chief, Mr. Jai Bhagwan Goyal, and the State vice-president, Mr. Abhimanyu Gulati, burnt an effigy of the Imam at Shahdara Chowk.

They shouted slogans against the Imam and Islamic fundamentalism.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) also took strong exception to the Imam's statement describing it as a ``challenge to India's sovereignty.'' The VHP senior vice-president, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, also demanded the arrest of the Imam.

- UNI, PTI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Curfew imposed after group clash
Next     : Integrated Defence Staff to be instituted