Bukhari to launch political party

HYDERABAD: The Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari is all set to launch a political party to represent the Muslim community.
“Ab waqt aa gaya hai ke Musalmanon ki ek siyasi jamaat honi chahiye (the time has come for Muslims to have their own political party,� Bukhari told The Times of India on Saturday. “Instead of supporting the so-called secular parties, Muslims should strengthen themselves to take their share in power,� he said.
“When Hindus, Sikhs, Dalits and other communities can have their own political parties,why can’t Muslims form a party of their own,� he asked.Bukhari has already begun touring the country to generate public opinion in favour of a Muslim political party. So far, he has visited West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and plans to visit other parts of the country soon.
The proposed party will neither be a federation of existing political or religious groups, nor an extension of regional parties representing the Muslim community. It will be a national party which will work in coordination with the existing regional parties and groups,� Bukhari clarified. But the Shahi Imam does not plan to hold any post in the proposed party, and his role will be confined to that of adviser. “We would have named the party by now.
But it got delayed for the reason that I do not want to hold any post in the party,� he said. Bukhari also wants the youth to replace the existing Muslim leaders. Unhe (old leaders) ab sirf dua karni chahiye (they should now be confined to prayers), he said. “It is after more than 50 years that we thought of launching a Muslim political party. Now it will take some more time for its formation,� he said, adding that he has already spoken to several Muslim leaders on the issue.
He said the leadership should come from the grassroot level from all parts of the country. Main apna mazhabi farz pura kar raha hoon (I am fulfilling my religious duty),� said the Shahi Imam, clarifying his motive for launching a party. The Shahi Imam refused to accept the All India Muslim Personal Law Board as an authority to represent the Muslim community.
“It was formed to deal with matters related to personal law, and it should be confined to that.� He criticised the board for involving the Muslim community in the issue of ‘shila puja’ at Ayodhya, saying that the dispute was originally between the VHP and the Central government over the undisputed land. But the board leaders unnecessarily involved the community by holding talks with Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati.