Protest was held to please BJP: UP Waqf Minister Azam Khan

Uttar Pradesh Waqf Minister Azam Khan has alleged that the protest held outside his residence in Lucknow was an attempt to please BJP.

"Whatever has happened in Lucknow was an attempt to please the BJP and the perpetrators must had realised creating chaos on the occasion of Juma Alvida Namaaj was condemnable," Khan said in Rampur on Friday.

Yesterday, over 50 persons of minority community were detained by police as they tried to surround Khan's house over the alleged move to appoint "corrupt persons" to the Shia Central Board in the state.

"The protests were held to keep the incident of force feeding of a Rozedar in the background," he claimed.

"I had no inclination to nominate persons of my choice to Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board and neither I or the state government had any interest with the election of Board's president. Members are free to elect any person as their president," he said refuting the allegations of the protesters.

Prominent Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad has alleged that the election of Shia Central Waqf Board are scheduled soon and Azam intends to appoint people who intend to loot Waqf properties, to important posts.

“This Board (Shia Board) was constituted during BSP's regime and I reject all the charges labelled against me and declare that I have done exemplary works for Shia and Sunni communities. I also state that all such charges were a part of conspiracy to misguide the masses," Khan further said.

Khan has urged the agitating Shia Board members to constitute an enquiry committee and find out the truth regarding disposal of Waqf's properties anywhere.

It was Samajwadi Party that had imposed ban on sale of properties, he said.

The minister hit out at the BJP leaders for their alleged attempts to add political colour to the incident.

"Refrain from creating chaotic conditions to spoil social fabric on sectarian grounds," he said.