New Delhi: Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid on Thursday sparked off a fresh controversy after he invited Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif but left out Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the anointment ceremony of his son as ‘Naib Imam.’
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the imam of country’s largest mosque, drew flak after he sent out invitations for the ‘dastarbandi’ of his successor to about 1,000 leaders, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
The invitees although include two BJP leaders Vijay Goel and health minister Harsh Vardhan.
However, home minister Rajnath Singh has not received any invite, MHA sources said.
Stating that the country’s Muslims have not yet “forgiven” Mr Modi for the 2002 anti-Muslim Gujarat riots, the grand Imam said, “he may have been elected the PM, but the Muslims of India do not accept him. It is not a personal fight.”
The BJP reacted strongly to the Imam’s statement, terming it ‘unfortunate’ and asked what message he wants to convey.
