Muslims are ‘targeted’ and ‘abused’, says Shahi Imam after BJP reaches out to him for support

NEW DELHI: Shahi Imam of Delhi Jama Masjid on Saturday conveyed his displeasure after Union minister Vijay Goel met him as part of BJP's 'Sampark for Samarthan' campaign, saying that Muslims in India are “targeted and abused".

The Union minister met Imam Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari today as part of BJP’s contact for support campaign ahead of the Lok Sabha election next year.

"They've come to us but Muslims are targeted and abused. There is one year left for election if they do something, it's welcome but we have a lot of complaints," Bukhari said.

The 'Sampark for Samarthan' (contact for support) campaign was launched to mark the four years of Modi government last month. As many as 4,000 BJP functionaries will contact 1 lakh people, who are recognised names in their fields, to inform them about the government's works during the past four years.

Apart from Goel, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today met India Islamic Cultural Centre chief Sirajuddin Qureshi as part of the BJP's nationwide campaign.

Naqvi informed them about the government's work aimed at "inclusive growth", a statement issued by his office said.

He told them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become an "effective and strong voice for peace and humanity" in India and the world. He said social-communal harmony and tolerance is the DNA of India.

"We have to work together to strengthen the fabric of our unity. Minorities in India are safe and socio-religious, constitutional rights of the minorities are safer here than any other democratic country in the world," Naqvi said.

Earlier this month, BJP chief Amit Shah called on actor Madhuri Dixit and industrialist Ratan Tata in Mumbai as part of the initiative. He has also met

(With inputs from agencies)