Rahul draws flak from Muslim leaders over riot victim remarks

Members of Muslim organisations have slammed Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi for his comments that some of the victims of the Muzaffarnagar riots had been approached by Pakistani intelligence agencies.
Hitting out at the Gandhi-scion, Jamiat-e-Islami Hind Secretary Engineer Saleem today said Rahul should not "insult" the minority community for electoral gains.
"His comments were irresponsible and it puts the entire community under a cloud of suspicion. He should tender an apology. We appeal to him not to insult the community for electoral benefits," said Saleem.
Addressing a rally at Indore on Oct. 24, Rahul had said he had received information from an Intelligence Bureau officer that some of the victims of the Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh were in touch with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence.

Reacting to BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's demand that Rahul either prove his claims or apologise for his remarks, Saleem said the Gujarat Chief Minister should also apologise himself for the 2002 riots in his state and ensure justice for its victims.
Seeking an explanation from Rahul, All India Muslim Majlis -e-Mushawarat President, Dr Zafrul Islam Khan, said, "It is unfortunate that instead of talking about the community's growth and development, such kinds of comments are being made."

He further said that while the Union Home Minister was writing to various states asking them to refrain from detaining Muslim youth wrongfully in the name of terror, a ruling party leader was making such comments.

"This kind of politics should not be practised," said Khan.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Aizaz Arshad Kazmi, too, was critical of Rahul's comments, saying, "Political leaders should not make comments which question the integrity of a particular community. There should be an end to the politics played by them using Muslims as pawns".