Madrasa comment: Why are BJP's minority leaders silent, asks Urdu academic

Panaji: Indian Muslims are being targeted by the ruling BJP, whose minority leaders are mum over comments like those against madrasas made by its parliamentarian from Uttar Pradesh Sakshi Maharaj, claims Urfan Mulla top official of the Goa Urdu Academy. “India and Muslims in Goa are hurt with Maharaj’s comments that Muslims are being taught about terrorism in madrasas. We study Quran in madrasa, where we are also taught about India and love for India,” Mulla told IANS. “Education of terrorism is being given in madrassas. They (madrasa) are making them terrorists and jihadis. It is not in national interest,” Maharaj, an MP from Unnao Lok Sabha constituency told reporters in Nademau in Kannauj district, 120 km from Lucknow. [caption id=“attachment_1609251” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] Mulla said the BJP was trying to divide India on the lines of religion and that leaders from the minority community in the saffron party were playing mute spectators. He also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi put an end to such “communal” rhetoric by the BJP leaders. “What are leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Najma Heptulla doing; Modi should put a lid on such statements,” Mulla said. IANS