Congress criticizes Shazia Ilmi over 'communal' remark

The Congress party on Wednesday strongly criticized Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi over her statement that 'Muslims need to be communal', and described it as 'childish'.

"It was a very childish statement. She doesn't know the meaning of communal. It was because of communalism that Babri Masjid was demolished, which was followed by riots all over the country," said Congress leader Meem Afzal.

"Muslims have proved time and again in every election that they are with secular parties. She might have forgotten that there is 80 percent Hindu population in the country, while Muslims are only 15 percent. What good can they achieve by being communal?" Afzal further asked.

He asserted that it was a very wrong statement by Ilmi, and added that she should duly apologise for her statement.

In a video posted on Youtube, Shazia Ilmi is seen appealing to Muslim leaders to be communal.

"I am saying Muslims are very secular. Muslims need to be communal. A Muslim isn't communal - doesn't vote for his own. Arvind Kejriwal is one of you. You are too. Don't be this secular. Look after your own homes interests," Ilmi said in the video.

Meanwhile, the AAP clarified on Ilmi's statement through Twitter, saying "AAP does not believe in this kind of politics nor does it endorse it.