BJP- Muslim clerics hum the same tune on Britonsā?? entry to Lucknow
NI Wire
New Delhi
Mon, 24 Sep 2007:
Sep 24: BJP is not alone in opposing the entry of the British to Lucknow but even Muslim organisations and clerics have joined them by warning the government t to allow the British enter the capital.
Humming the same tune as that of BJP they also demanded that state government should ban their entry in the state capital, Lucknow.
This is to be known that a group of retired British soldiers and civilians including the descendants of the soldiers who took part in the battle are on a visit to the trail of sites where British Army suppressed the rebellion.
All India Muslim Morcha (AIMM) has warned of repeating the history in the sense that it would lay siege to the residency, a protected historical monument now, where bloody battle was fought between the freedom fighters of 1857 revolt and the British soldiers of the (QRR) Queen’s Rifle Regiment.
Muslim clerics said that holding of any function to celebrate the victory of British soldiers would be a humiliation to those who sacrificed their life for the freedom of the country. Wonderful thing was that they echoed the same sentiments as Hindu nationalist party BJP.
BJP also warned that it will hold demonstrations against the visit of the British at residency. Party has also decided to mark Monday as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ to show their respect for the Indian soldiers.
Lalji Tondon, a senior BJP leader said that their party will not allow the group of the British at any rate as they are the family members of the killers of our freedom-fighters.
Respecting the sentiments of the people even state government has said that no function to celebrate the British victory in 1857 Sepoy Mutiny would be allowed to be held but at the same time state government expressed no objection on their paying homage to their forefathers.
Principal Home secretary, J N Chamber rejecting the demand of ban on the entry of the Britons said, “There is no problem if someone wants to pay homage to his forefathers in a peaceful manner but we shall not allow any celebrations.”