By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Eminent Islamic seminary Darul Uloom, Deoband too echoed the sentiments of nation-Remove Corruption. However, it distanced itself from Anna’s stir against corruption and refused to jump in the protests.
“We are supporting the issue raised by Anna but do not associate ourselves with the means of protests launched by them. For us eradication of corruption is important and not the person,” said Vice-Chancellor (V-C), Darul Uloom, Deoband, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani. Talking over phone, Nomani stressed that corruption is affecting every person of the country and it should be eradicated. “The issue of corruption is very important and country should get rid of it. However we are purely an educational institution confined to religious teachings and as such cannot join the protests,” said Nomani. He also clarified that Deoband is not associated with Anna Hazare in any manner and the support extended is related to the issue of corruption only and does not justify the means of protests adopted in the Anna Hazare’s stir.
Another Muslim outfit the political wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, Welfare Party of India (WPI) too supported a strong Lokpal for curbing the corruption. “This is a fact that the Lokpal bill presented by the UPA government is toothless. It has to be strong and Anna’s model may be adopted,” said spokesperson, WPI, SQR Ilyas. He also stated that civil society should not take the liberty to force their wishes but there should be a strong Lokpal. “One should not be adamant but corruption is affecting every person and it should be eradicated. Not only strong Lokpal, there should be effective and sincere implementation of anti-corruption laws in the country,” said Ilyas.