Lucknow Imam upbraids Togadia for attempting to disturb communal harmony

Lucknow Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali today condemned Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia for his controversial statement on Muslims forgetting 2002 Gujarat riots.

Mahali accused Togadia of disturbing communal harmony during the month of Ramzaan.

"The recent statement of Praveen Togadia is highly condemnable, and we condemn it in the strongest possible words. And, we think that it is a conspiracy to disturb law and order, especially in this holy month of Ramzaan. So, the Government of India must take strong action against such elements," said Mahali.

He added that by recalling the Gujarat and Muzaffarnagar riots, Togadia has tried to rake up the old wounds of the victims.

He also said that it is the duty of every government to meet the interests of the Muslims on a priority basis.

Recently, another VHP leader, Ashok Singhal, had controversially said that the recent general elections have shown that polls can be won without Muslim support, and that now, Muslims should learn to respect Hindus.