Bukhari hopeful of SP fulfilling its promise of Muslims representation in UP

Etawah, Apr 15 (ANI): Muslim cleric Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari on Sunday expressed hope that Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav would keep up the promises to provide representation to the Muslims in the state.

Bukhari, the head cleric of the Jama Masjid in Delhi, told reporters that Muslims in the state must be given more representation in the public sector as well as the police.

"I hope that he (Mulayam Singh Yadav) will fulfil the promises he has made. My main issue was that the Muslims (of Uttar Pradesh) should be given opportunities in every field. All departments must have Muslim staff, especially the police, where we are nowhere to be seen. We are continually harassed by them (police)," Bukhari said.

The cleric reiterated his position by listing the administrative positions where he said Muslims must be appointed.

"Muslims should be visible in posts such as SP (Superintendent of Police), SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police), DM (District Magistrate), development officers among others, in accordance with their percentage in the population, so that they can feel more confident about themselves. For the Muslims who voted for the Samajwadi Party on my call, it was my responsibility to rattle the government's conscience," he added.

Bukhari had recently triggered a fierce political storm when he had demanded a seat in the Rajya Sabha for his brother Yahya and a cabinet berth for his son-in-law Umer Ali in the Uttar Pradesh Government.

Bukhari, who had spoken in favour of the Samajwadi Party during the Uttar Pradesh elections, had also come under fire from senior SP leader Azam Khan, who had said that the cleric's demand undermined the aspirations and views of the Muslim community. (ANI)