Hyderabad: Voicing concern over increasing incidents of communal violence and inaction of the Congress government in Andhra Pradesh, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Monday warned that it would not hesitate to go against the government.
The MIM, which has a strong base in Hyderabad, also warned the government that if it failed to come to the community`s rescue, the party would be at liberty to do whatever is required.
MIM is extending crucial legislative support to the Congress, which has a slender majority in the Andhra assembly.
The United Muslim Action Committee, of which MIM is a member, held a meeting here Monday and asked the state government to act tough against Hindutva forces and take action against policemen for their inaction.
It said an `explosive` situation was prevailing in the city due to activities of Hindutva groups including attempts to expand a temple near the Charminar.
It warned that this could flare up and have serious repercussions for the state and the country.
MIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that communal elements were having a free run in the city with police either colluding with them or acting as a mute spectator.
He told reporters that a fear psychosis had been created in the city on the eve of Bakrid with the animal husbandry department and police seizing cattle brought for sacrifice. He voiced concern over last week`s violence in Sabzi Mandi.
"For the last five days the entire area is under an undeclared curfew. Barbed fencing has been put only around Muslim localities and people are not being allowed to move. They are suffering because of lack of medicines and other basic amenities," the MP said.
United Muslim Action Committee convenor Abdul Rahim Quraishi asked the government not to test the patience of Muslims and warned that lawlessness would have serious repercussions.
Condemning the police attitude, he said the groups spreading hatred against Muslims were allowed to carry on their activities in the name of cow slaughter.
The committee sought against those who prevented bulls and bullocks from being brought to Hyderabad and stabbing of Muslims youths.
"We know there is a ban on cow slaughter but there is no law which bans slaughter of bulls and bullocks," said Quraishi.
The Muslim leaders asked the government, Archaeological Society of India (ASI) and the police to immediately stop attempts to expand the temple abutting Charminar.
"We don`t see this as a Hindu vs Muslim issue. Our only demand is that the law should be implemented to protect the monument. The heritage belongs to everyone. It has to be protected," said Owaisi.
IANS
