By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Team Anna’s core committee member, Arvind Kejriwal succeeded in extracting conditional support from eminent Shia cleric and Vice-President, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Kalbe Sadiq during his visit to Lucknow on Monday.
“I support any movement which is against corruption in the country. This evil should be eradicated from the society. Though, if the Anna’s movement gets communal and political overtone, I will not associate myself with this,” said Sadiq. Kejriwal met Sadiq at the latter’s Tauhidul Muslimeen Trust (TMT) office in Jauhri Mohalla of Chowk area in Lucknow on 14th November.
Kejriwal meeting with Maulana Kalbe Sadiq
Kejriwal too grabbed the opportunity to state that Team Anna has nothing to do with Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). “We have no links with RSS and if it is established I will personally leave the movement,” assured Kejriwal.
However, Sadiq reiterated that Team Anna should take the initiative and reach out to the Muslims and convince them about their intentions.
“Muslims are oppressed section of the society and they should be taken into confidence,” he said.
L-R: Kejriwal and Maulana Kalbe Sadiq
Earlier, the India Against Corruption (IAC) Lucknow unit had invited Maulana Sadiq, Imam of historic Tile Wali Masjid in old city, Maulana Shah Fazlur Rahman Waizi, Padmashree Dr Mansoor Hasan, noted advocate and executive member All India Muslim Personal law Board Zafar Yab Jilani, for an interaction with Kejriwal on Monday. When it was clear that none of them are attending the meet, Kejriwal rushed to Sadiq’s office. “He was busy so I came to meet him,” he said.