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...And, he puts Gandhi topi on

GANDHIGIRI TOOK a universal dimension of sorts when Muslim Personal Law Board vice chairperson Kalbe Sadiq joined Rana Pratap Marg?s anti-liquor brigade on Wednesday.

Published on: Nov 9, 2006, 24:20:00 IST
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GANDHIGIRI TOOK a universal dimension of sorts when Muslim Personal Law Board vice chairperson Kalbe Sadiq joined Rana Pratap Marg’s anti-liquor brigade on Wednesday.

HT Image
HT Image

He wore the Gandhi topi and opposed the existence of a wine shop in front of a temple. His presence encouraged the nearby residents and workers of Aadi Shakti Divine Society who have been fighting for removal of the wine shop for quite some time now.

A large number of Hindus and Muslims gathered on the occasion to welcome the noted Shia cleric known for his reformist approach in religious matters.

“I have never changed my cap, even after the orders by Supreme Shia cleric Ayatollah Gulpaigami in Iran. He wanted me to have a Shi’ite turban. But, I preferred my cap and never changed it. Today, when these small children came and offered me Gandhi cap, I wore it. Such is the power of Gandhi, which is nothing but love,” said vice chairperson of Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Sadiq.

HT Kalbe Sadiq said, “In Islam namaz is prohibited on the roads or at the place where some sort of obstruction is caused, and here this wine shop is causing obstruction in the way of devotees going to the temple, which is great sin. The shop must be removed.”

“The owner of the shop visited my place in the morning and has promised to shift the shop soon.”

Highlighting the importance of Gandhi’s ideas Sadiq said, “Mahatma Gandhi has given non-violence as a tool to remove the sins from society. Sometimes films can teach you better things than you learn in religious places.”

In a written statement the shop owner Daljit Singh has said that his shop is there for last three years, and many shops in the city are located near religious places. Moreover the Supreme Court has granted stay in his favour. Only a few people are interested in removing his shop from the place, they are misusing the name of Gandhi and using religion as a tool to remove his shop, when the case is going on in the supreme court. He has assured to follow the decision of Supreme Court in the matter.

Later Imam of Tile Wali Masjid with his son joined the gathering to support the fight against liquor shop in front of the temple.

  • Anupam Srivastava
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Anupam Srivastava

    Anupam Srivastava is a Special Correspondent with Hindustan Times, Lucknow. Has produced exclusive stories in medical, civil aviation, civic, political and other issues for over 20 years.

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