Darul urges Hindus, Muslims to unite on Bhagwad Gita

LUCKNOW: Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issued a statement on Wednesday defending the Hindu religious text Bhagwad Gita. Deoband vicechancellor Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani condemned the “Russian diktat against the Hindu holy scripture ” and urged Hindus and Muslims to unite to drive home the point.

Nomani also pitched for a joint approach against anti-Islamic bans Muslims face in the West. But, many in the Deoband campus were surprised by his statement. They viewed it as a tactical move by the V-C to shed his ultraconservative image for wider acceptability.

The appeal to Hindu religious heads to extend similar support to Muslims pointed to hiscautious approachlesthe was misunderstood and misinterpreted , sources said . “Allegation portraying Gita as extreme literature are totally baseless and highly objectionable ,” Nomani told TOI.

No religion in the world promotes violence and terrorism . “This ban amounts to violation of the freedom to practise religion of choice enshrined in the Indian Constitution . The Russian highhandednessdeservestobestaunchly countered ,” he said. The Maulana in turn expected a similar support for Muslims from Hindu gurus on ban on hijab in several nations.

“ Affront to religion from foreign shores needs to be opposed by both communities together for maximum impact ,” he said . Maulana Khalid Rashid , head of Lucknow’s Firangimahal , also denounced “Russian arrogance” and said Muslims must offer their unflinching supportto Hindus in what he called a direct attack on their privatespace . “We appealtothe government to take a firm stance so that such blasphemous interference is not attempted in future ,” he said .