‘Cast vote to keep communal forces at bay’

KOLKATA: “Step out to cast your vote, every vote is invaluable. It is our solemn duty to keep communal forces out of Bengal, to keep peace and brotherhood, to remain together,” Qari Fazlur Rehman said on Thursday during the Red Road Eid prayers, the state’s biggest Eid congregation.

While a large part of Maulana Rehman’s sermon for a lakh-odd devotees, who turned up for the Red Road namaz on Eid, centred around the need to maintain peace and tranquillity, there were also references to national and international issues.

Later speaking to TOI, Rehman said, “There is a concerted effort nationwide to sow seeds of hatred among people and increase divisiveness. This has to be resisted and thwarted at all cost. Life is invaluable. To harm even one person is harming humanity. To love and protect even one person is loving humanity. It is our duty to protect others, not to harm them.”

Rehman added, “We need to stay together, we need to look after each other.” Asked on his references to present day issues, Rehman said, “I did mention the fact that with elections at our doorstep, it is our duty to cast our vote. Everyone should step out to vote. It is our duty to do so. To watch a crime unfold and not to speak out is also a crime. People should vote for a party which can play a definitive role at the Centre.”

Md Shafique Qasmi, the Nakhoda Masjid Imam who told the Eid prayers, said, “I prayed for peace and tranquillity, and let people have the strength to forgive.” The imam did not refer to other issues, but stressed people should remain united and spread affection, not hatred.

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