PM's statement on Muslims nationalist: BJP's Naqvi

Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on Indian Muslims is nationalistic in nature and not political.

"The positive statement regarding the Indian Muslims is not political but nationalistic. He (Modi) has not given this statement to satisfy the so called champions of secularism but to show pride and belief in the patriotism of Muslims of India," said Naqvi.

"All the champions of secularism who have done injustice for the last 10 years by symbolising the beard and cap with 'Made in al-Qaeda', they are the ones who have been taking out negative meaning from the statement as they have clearly realised that they can no longer use secularism for votes," he said.

The BJP national vice-president said the prime minister's statement was a "befitting reply" to the terror groups which are trying to create a chaotic atmosphere to recruit Indian Muslims in their ranks.

Modi Friday said the Indian Muslims will live and die for India and the al Qaeda is "delusional" if it thinks Indian Muslims will dance to its tunes.