Those who wore caps, did not respect it: Najma Heptullah

PATNA: Taking a dig at the "show-off measures" adopted by various political parties to appease the Muslims in Bihar, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptullah today said the leaders "just wore caps but did not keep the respect of those caps".

"These political leaders did not practise honesty with the Muslims. They just wore their caps and indulged in show-off measures but they did not keep the respect of those caps. Otherwise, the Muslims in Bihar would not have been so backward," Heptullah said.

The Union Minister was speaking at the state BJP headquarters in Patna.

She said that the Muslims here do not need caps but "need employment and food".

Najma said more and more Muslims were joining with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP after realising that "those who wore their caps, were the ones who cheated them."

In an apparent dig at the ruling JD(U) and its allies RJD and Congress, Heptullah said, "Talking sweet things, having tea and food with the Muslims is okay. But the political leaders who indulge in such things should also keep their promises made to the minorities."

Hitting out at the Bihar government over clash between two communities at Ajizpur village in Muzaffarpur, she said "law and order and protecting the lives of people is the responsibility of the state government and the state government has failed in it."

Heptullah said she is proud to be a Muslim and wanted to tell everybody that only Narendra Modi has not shown any difference in his intent and action.