Imam Bhukari's brother opposes support to Congress

NEW DELHI: Syed Yahya Bukhari, the younger brother of Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari, today opposed the latter's decision to support Congress and accused the party of "backstabbing" Muslims.

"Whatever happened under Narendra Modi in Gujarat 10-12 years ago against Muslims is known to one and all, the way Muslims were massacred there. But Congress is 10 times ahead of this. The number of Muslims killed by Congress is more than any other party," Yahya told a press conference here.

"I would like to reiterate that BJP has always attacked Muslims from the front but Congress has always backstabbed them. My father also used to say the same thing," he claimed.

Asked to comment on the Shahi Imam's declaration of support to Congress, he said "I have said earlier that I oppose it and condemn it."

"I am not a leader, so won't issue an appeal but will make a request and put forth my views on Congress party in front of them. First of all, Congress claims it has done so much for Muslims but let it prove what it has done in the last 10 years. Give me a single example what kind of protection was given to Muslims," he said.

Yahya also raised questions over the meeting between his elder brother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday and said "why was this decision taken in a closed door meeting? Why was this press conference done by the Shahi Imam and why did he not appear at a joint press conference with Sonia Gandhi"?

He said that earlier the Shahi Imam had backed Vajpayee-led BJP in 2004 and Mulayam Singh Yadav's SP in UP during the 2012 assembly elections, "but if none of them could fulfill their promises what are the chances that Sonia Gandhi will fulfill them"?

"In today's time, tell me one leader's name who can be trusted if we merely trust verbal assurances. If tomorrow Narendra Modi gives such assurances, will you support him? Both BJP and Congress are killers and you have taken a decision to support one killer," he said.