Clerics: Boycott Salman Khan’s films as star backs Narendra Modi

published on January 29, 2014

MUMBAI: A section of clerics has asked Muslims to boycott Salman Khan’s films and the products he endorses till he apologises for saying Narendra Modi need not express regret for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Angry voices have risen from the community since the actor flew kites with the Gujarat CM recently while publicizing his latest movie and seemingly endorsed the BJP leader’s push to be the next prime minister. After calling Modi a “great man” in Ahmedabad, Salman told a news channel last week that there was no need for the CM to apologise for the riots as the judiciary had given him a clean chit.

“Salman’s statement that there is no need for Modi to say sorry for the 2002 riots is provocative and deplorable. It has hurt the sentiments of Muslims and the community should boycott the actor’s present and future films and the products he endorses unless he apologises,” said Maulana Ejaz Kashmiri, a member of the All India Ulema Council and an imam at a mosque in Bhendi Bazaar. Kashmiri has appealed to Muslims not to invite Salman to their social and religious functions.

“Modi will do anything to improve his image among Muslims and secular voters. Did Salman feel the pain of women and children who suffered during the riots? What has he done to rehabilitate the victims?” asked Maulana Khalilur Rahman Noorie, general secretary of the Tanzeem Aima Masajid, an organization of imams.

Salman’s Ahmedabad comments came soon after another storm over his decision to perform at the Samajwadi Party’s Saifai Festival at a time when survivors of the Muzaffarnagar riots were struggling in badly-provided relief camps.

Salman’s father Salim Khan said: “Salman didn’t say anything outrageous. Does anybody remember the many CMs during whose rule several communal riots happened? They remember Modi because he has won elections and is aiming to become PM.”

The call hasn’t gone down well with some. Zafar Sareshwala, a diehard Modi supporter, said: “Salman is a soft target and maulvis don’t have better things to do than attack Salman Khan.”

Read More : http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-28/india/46733492_1_muzaffarnagar-riots-narendra-modi-2002-gujarat-riots