BJP Leader Hits Back On Maulana Shahabuddin’s Remark on Shami: 'Why Was He Watching Cricket During Ramadan'

BJP leader Madhavi Lata criticized a Muslim cleric for questioning cricketer Mohammed Shami's fasting during a match. She also questioned why the cleric was watching cricket during Ramadan and raised concerns about multiple marriages and Aurangzeb's treatment of women in Islamic law.

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi

Source : ANI

After a recent comment by a Muslim cleric on Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami for not observing a fast during India's semi-final match against Australia, BJP leader Madhavi Lata questioned him. He said that the responsibility of a cricketer is to prepare himself to represent India and help the country win on the field. She also asked, when someone is showing the way and fulfilling their duty toward the country, why does Maulana have an objection to that?

Lata further added that Allah would be pleased that he is playing for the country. The biggest question is, why was Maulana watching cricket in the first place? During Ramadan, one should stay away from entertainment, she said.

“Those who don't say "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Bharat" are thriving on the earnings of this very land. I would say that religious rights are a personal matter, but if Maulana had said that an Indian cricketer did such a great job while fighting for India, we would have been happy about it,” she further added.

She also said that Maulana should tell what about the Muslim soldiers who joined the army and fought for the country on the streets. Should they sacrifice their lives without food or water, dying on the battlefield? she asked further.

A Look At Context

Speaking to ANI, President of All India Muslim Jamaat, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi said that one of the compulsory duties is fasting or Roza and if any healthy man or woman doesn't observe 'Roza', they will be a big criminal.

“A famous cricket personality of India, Mohammed Shami had water or some other beverage during a match. People were watching him. If he is playing, it means he is healthy. In such a condition, he did not observe 'Roza' and even had water...This sends a wrong message among people. By not keeping 'Roza', he has committed a crime. He should not do this. In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal. He will have to answer God,” the Muslim cleric said.

Speaking on the Aurangzeb row, she questioned the Fatwa of Alamgiri and the rules under which a Muslim man could marry multiple times, treating women as entertainment objects, and how they could be married off to different men.

On Wednesday, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra legislative assembly till the ongoing budget session over his remarks eulogising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Azmi said the action against him was taken despite him retracting his remark.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked the Samajwadi Party to take a stand on Azmi’s remarks, demanding that it must expel him for glorifying the Mughal ruler. Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil moved the motion of suspension of Azmi from the House for the remainder of the session’s term.