Clerics, priests fast to seek divine retribution for Modi

Flaying Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for playing "fast politics", Islamic clerics and Hindu saints joined hands to observe a day's fast in Lucknow on Friday to seek divine retribution for Modi for the alleged state sponsored killing of Muslims in Gujarat in 2003.

Responding to the call given by leading Shia cleric and scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawaad, several Hindu sadhus and saints joined him to sit on a day-long 'roza' cum 'upwas' at Lucknow's famous Imambara, where a formal 'iftar' (breaking of fast) was also arranged later in the evening.

Leading the Friday 'namaz' at the Imambara Mosque, Maulana Jawaad also prayed for "punishment to Modi". He told reporters later that "both Muslims and Hindus have unitedly offered prayers for Modi's divine retribution for the massacre of innocent Muslims in Gujarat."

Terming Modi as a "tyrant", he said, "We are confident that even if he manages to get reprieve from the courts, God will answer our prayers by awarding the severest of punishment to Modi."

Well-known Arya Samaj saint Swami Agnivesh flayed Modi for what he termed as "a huge drama in Ahmedabad". He told reporters, "I have come to know that Modi paid only Rupee 1 a day as rent for the venue of his much hyped fast in Ahmedabad when the building rent is Rs 5 lakh per day; that itself is blatant misuse of authority which reflects his psyche."

He further added, "Everyone can see his real political objective behind the drama – Modi's design is to become prime minister, but let me tell you that his dream will remain unfulfilled as God almighty will definitely punish him for his unpardonable crimes."  

Several other locally prominent Islamic clerics as well as Hindu priests participated in the fast, which was the first of its kind in the state capital.