Kolkata: The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmad Bukhari today (Apr 9, 2004) came in for sharp criticism by Muslim scholars and intellectuals in Kolkata for expressing confidence on the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and welcoming the 'vision document' of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government.

Criticising the Shahi Imam, representatives of Maulana Shaukat Ali Foundation (MSAF) who included Maulana Qari Fazlur Rahman, Imam, Idd Prayer, Red Road, told a press conference that the Shahi Imam should not indulge in politics by saying that the Muslims of the country had forgotten their prejudice towards the BJP. "How can we forget mass killing in Gujarat and demolition of the Babri Masjid?" they asked.

They urged the Muslims to vote for a secular party, but refused to name any saying "Muslims are wise enough not to be influenced by the personal opinion of Bukhari and they will vote for any party other than the BJP."

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The Maulana said that Gujarat is one example where despite the killings, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had openly supported the State Chief Minister Narendra Modi. "The Muslims will never forget this."

"It is the same Vajpayee who had said that the BJP did not require the Muslim vote. But now he is trying to influence the community through Bukhari, who is not at all a representative of entire Muslim community," he said.

Eminent Islamic scholar and Urdu Journalist Syed Ali said, "Muslims will not support a party that only thinks about one community. They are working towards another division of the country."