Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh’s Sports Minister Vishvas Sarang has strongly condemned the statement made by All India Muslim Jamaat’s president, Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi, after pictures showed the daughter of the Indian cricket team's Mohammed Shami playing Holi.
The minister wrote a letter to Shami that neither he nor his daughter needs to fear these 'fundamentalists.'
The minister called Maulana's remark extremist and harmful to the country’s social harmony. He said that such politics will no longer be tolerated. He also accused the opposition party Congress of indulging in ‘appeasement politics.’
Sarang stated, "Is desh mein kattarpanthi aur charanpanthi apni seemayein laangh rahe hain. Is desh me nafrat ki raajneeti nahin chalegi.....(Extremists are crossing their limits. Hatered-politics will not work in this country. Maulana Shahabuddin Rizvi’s statement is objectionable, and such threats will not be tolerated.)"
‘Freedom of expression can’t be restricted’
The minister also mentioned that he has written a letter to Mohammed Shami, assuring him that he does not need to fear anyone and that the government will ensure his safety.
Sarang further added, "Mohammed Shami brings pride to this country, and if his daughter plays Holi, it troubles extremists. It is unfortunate that a little girl is being threatened. Maulana had previously criticized Shami for not fasting during Ramadan and drinking water while playing cricket. It is shocking to see extremism reach this level."
The minister emphasized that Holi is an integral part of India’s culture and that no one can impose restrictions on an individual’s freedom of expression.
'Committed a crime,' Maulana criticized Shami for not observing 'Roza'
Earlier, too, All India Muslim Jamaat President Maulana Shahabuddin slammed Shami for not observing Roza. Notably, during one of the matches of the ICC Champions Trophy, Shami was spotted sipping on energy drink, as his picture went viral, Maulana hit out, saying "He (Mohammed Shami) has committed a crime by not observing 'Roza'.
