Shahi Imam against govt interference

ALIGARH: Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid Syed Abdullah Bukhari said here on Monday that government interference in triple talaq would not be tolerated. He also strongly objected to TV debates on the issue.

Bukhari, who was here to attend a private function, told HT that there was no need of government interference in the triple talaq issue because the Muslim Personal Law Board was already working on it and added that ongoing TV debates should be discontinued. Commenting on the SP, he said, “Now there is a schism in the SP and if anyone forms another party after leaving it, it would not be successful. How can a person who has ousted his father from the party, deliver to the voters?”

On the Kashmir issue, he said, “The situation in Kashmir has not nosedived in a day. It has been deteriorating since the past many years. Why have Kashmiri children been forced to pelt stones? The problem can be solved only through dialogue.” He also strongly condemned attacks on army personnel in Kashmir. “A large number of army personnel are being killed in Kashmir and by Naxalites which is not good for the country,” he said.

On ceasefire violation on the Indo-Pak border he said, “Pakistan should understand that 20 crore Muslims are living in India.”

He demanded that India take stern action against Pakistan. Giving vent to his annoyance over law and order situation in UP, he said, “Akhlaq was murdered during SP rule .Now under the present government, clashes have taken place in Saharanpur and Bulandshahr. Law and order is not satisfactory in UP and the government should check attacks on Muslims.”