After extending legal and financial support to the Islamists accused in the Kamlesh Tiwari murder, the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, which roughly translates to Council of Indian Muslim Theologians belonging to the Deobandi school of thought has written to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi asking her to refrain from considering an alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.
In a letter dated November 18, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president, Arshad Madani has denounced the move by calling it “unfortunate.” It reads that an alliance with Shiv Sena is “very dangerous” and “harmful” for the grand old party.
Madani in his letter to Sonia Gandhi wrote, I want to draw your kind attention regarding Maharashtra’s bad politics, and it’s really unfortunate that you are considering to support Shiv Sena. It will be a very dangerous and harmful step for Congress party.
Notably, this is the same Islamic organisation which had met the families of the five Islamists arrested for brutally murdering Hindu activist Kamlesh Tiwari for allegedly insulting the Prophet of Islam in 2015 and said that it is willing to bear all the legal costs and also offered the held of their legal cell to defend the 5 accused in the Kamlesh Tiwari murder.
Meanwhile, the political situation in Maharashtra still remains in shambles as ambiguity remains to hover over Shiv Sena’s fate. After NCP chief met Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi today at her residence he stated that Shiv Sena was not discussed during the meeting.
Update: A Twitter account understood to be representing Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has issued a statement declaring the above letter, which was carried by many media outlets, as fake. Their statement is being reproduced below:
महाराष्ट्र में सरकार गठन को लेकर जमीयत उलेमा-ए-हिंद का ये लेटर झूठ हैं। जमियत ने ऐसा कोई लेटर जारी नहीं किया।@ndtv @zeesalaamtweet pic.twitter.com/tN5lP6L4rs
— Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (@jamiatulama_) November 18, 2019
