Click to play videoNew Delhi: India's most influential Islamic seminary – The Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Hind, the largest gathering of Ulemas in India, had an unusual keynote speaker on day 2 -- Home Minister P Chidambaram.
He was the first Home Minister ever to address religious scholars at the Deoband seminary on Tuesday.
Clearly on a mission to reach out to the Muslim community, Chidrambaram blamed the Babri Masjid demolition on religious fanaticism
Chidambaram said, “The demolition of Babri Masjid was a manifestation of religious fanaticism and an act of extreme prejudice.”
The message wasn't lost on the 10-000 strong gathering of ulemas, coming just a month before the 17th anniversary of the Babri demolition.
Politically too, the visit comes at a time that several Congress allies like Lalu and Mulayam are targetting the party over Babri demolition.
The Home Minister also hit home with his praise for the Deoband fatwa against terror saying Islam condemns all forms of violence.
“The Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa against terrorism, I regard the decree as a call to duty to not only Muslims but to all right-thinking people,” said Chidrambaram.
With polling for by elections to 18 Assembly seats in UP later this week, the UPA hopes to reach out to the Muslim stronghold in western UP and Chidamabram's historic visit will certainly set the ball rolling.
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