Azam Khan: Did Paris mourn loss of lives in Mumbai attack?
Under sharp criticism for his remarks on the Paris attack, state cabinet minister and senior Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan asked why there were ‘no reactions’ when Prime minister Narendra Modi described the 2002 Gujarat riots as a ‘reaction of action’.
Khan, who called the PM a fascist, strongly denied that he ever said that the Paris attack was a result of reaction to the killing of innocents in Arab countries by the world’s super-powers.
The minister was in Kanpur to lead a ‘Clean Ganga’ campaign. He will also be participating in a ‘Clean Ganga Yatra’ organised by Hindu seers in Varanasi – the Prime Minister’s constituency.
Azam Khan said he felt for the loss of innocent lives, but questioned the selective outrage of the West over terror. “Did Paris mourn loss of lives in Mumbai and Akshardham attack?” he asked.
“The US, instead of expressing solidarity with India after these attacks, further enhanced funding and arms supply to Pakistan,” he added.
Countering the criticism, he said the then Gujarat chief minister who is now Prime Minister had said Gujarat riots were reaction of an action on March 3, 2002.
“Bapu (Mahatama Gandhi) too had said if there will be immoral action, there will be a reaction; it is the country of Bapu and not Godse (Nathuram),” he said.
Khan said Western countries should find the root causes of terrorism if they wish to win the battle against terror.
Asked about PM Modi’s assertion on diversity and pluralism, Khan said he was a ‘fascist’.
Hitting out at “divisive poli- tics of the BJP,” he said the personal bond of 125 crore people was so deep rooted that it won’t ever let politics drive a wedge between them. He also said that the issues of Ganga and Yoga had been politicised and given a religious colour.
“People need to see beyond the optics; if politicisation of these issues is not done away with, it won’t help the cause of Ganga,” he said.
He demanded that the government shuts down slaughter houses, saying Muslims revered the cow as much the non-Mus- lims. “Prophet of Islam abhorred cow meat; if Muslims consume it, they go against their prophet,” he said.