By TCN Staff Writer,
Surat: Amidst the controversy created by newly elected Darul Uloom Deoband Rector Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Vastanvi by indirectly praising the Gujarat Government, reports have come in that the ruling party BJP will felicitate the Surat-based cleric at a Republic Day function to be featured by Chief Minister Narendra Modi here on 26th Jan. 2011.
Maulana Vastanvi had recently told media including TwoCircles.net that Muslims in Gujarat are progressing and there is no discrimination against them. He had also said the community should now move ahead leaving behind the 2002 pogrom.
According to TOI report, the state BJP is attempting to get Maulana Vastnavi to share stage with CM Modi, who is facing the riot charges in court, and be felicitated by him at the state-level Republic Day celebrations in Surat.
According to the report, the minority cell of the BJP is working overtime for the Modi-Maulana photo-op on R-Day. Maulana Vastnavi, who hails from Vastan village in Mangrol taluka of Surat district, was in the town on Tuesday to renew his passport. He was accompanied by Surat city BJP’s minority cell leaders. These minority cell leaders have reportedly discussed the felicitation idea with Surat BJP president Purnesh Modi. Purnesh has reportedly confirmed the development.