Back those who prevented riots: Shia Cleric Jawad

Maulana Kalbe Jawad, a prominent Shia cleric, made a video appeal, without naming the Bharatiya Janata Party, to people to support the party that prevented riots in the capital city.

A household name, Jawad thanked Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, law minister Brajesh Pathak and deputy CM Dinesh Sharma for their help towards the community and said "noble people" and those who are capable of preventing riots should be supported.

Again, without naming the party, Jawad cautioned people of the community against the SP, saying the party has always "betrayed" the community and fake cases for rioting were lodged against Shia youth under the previous government, which were withdrawn by the current government with the help of state law minister Brajesh Pathak.

"I am not lobbying for any party, but I would like to say vote for noble people who work for the interest of the community, who are capable of stopping riots and those who are helping us," Jawad said. Shias, a minority within the minority Muslim community form around 4-5 % of the state 's popultion but Lucknow is their nerve centre with about 2 lakh Shia voters in the district who have been traditionally inclined towards the BJP.