By RINA,
New Delhi: A high level delegation of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) under the leadership of its General Secretary Maulana Mohammad Wali Rahmani met with Union Law Minister Hansraj Bharadwaj at his residence here yesterday and spoke about the controversy arising out of the remarks of Supreme Court Judge Mr. Justice Markandey Katju over beard and burqa.
The delegation apprised him of the unrest that has been created by the remarks of a senior Supreme Court Judge.
Mr. Bharadwaj expressed his regrets over the whole incidents and assured the delegation that he would bring this matter to the knowledge of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Mr. Hansraj Bhardwaj said that in a secular India of Gandhiji, Maulana Azad and Nehru some communal elements have penetrated that are ought to dismantle the secular fabric of the country. Mr. Bhardwaj was of the view that politicians have deteriorated the secular political milieu of our country that was in place for the last sixty years. These very elements are also communalizing the minds of the younger generations as well. He asserted that these malicious elements will not be successful in their agenda.
“The key to a stronger nation is to have cordial relations among all of the religions found in our country”. Mr. Bharadwaj said, “I myself had lived in a Muslim locality and still today I have family relations with many Muslim families. This composite culture is a key to a stronger nation”. In an hour-long meeting the current political situation also came in for discussion.
Maulana Wali Rahmani told the media persons that the meeting was successful. “We presented the Hon’ble Minister with the clippings and news reports of Mr. Justice Markandey Katju’s remarks, the reaction of Muslims and also the letter that was sent to the Mr. Justice Katju”.
Distancing himself from Prof. (Dr.) Tahir Mahmood’s remarks Maulana Wali Rahmani commented that it was his personal opinion and AIMPLB had nothing to do with that.
“I have personally spoken to the President of AIMPLB Maulana Mohammad Rabey Sahab over the telephone and he has only appreciated Prof. Tahir Mahmood’s efforts”. Maulana Wali Rahmani, however, made it clear, “I do not agree with Prof. Tahir Mahmood’s remarks that Muslims should desist from reacting to a sub judice matter. I do not think that it will have any adverse impact on an Air Force officer’s similar plea in the Supreme Court”.
The other members of the delegation included: General Secretary of Jamiat Uleam-e-Hind Maulana Mahmood Madani, Chairman Delhi Commission for Minorities and Member of the Board Mr. Kamal Farooqui, Maulana Abdul Wahhab Khilji, Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddadi, (Board Members), Mualana Mohammd Jafer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Ameeduz Zaman Kairanvi Qasmi of Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat and Shi’a Islamic Scholar Maulana Aqeel Al-Gharwi.