Muslims join Sena for bandh

Departing from their tradition, Muslim organisations on Wednesday supported the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party bandh to protest against the government's failure to prevent the Ghatkopar bomb blast in Mumbai.

The Raza Academy and Ulema Council were among the organisations that protested the bandh. The Samajwadi Party, which has a large following in the Muslim community, too declared its support.

Mumbai's Muslim-dominated areas like Bhindi Bazaar, Crawford Market and Mohammed Ali Road witnessed a near total bandh, with most shops downing shutters.

In a statement, Rajya Sabha member and SP president Abu Asim Azmi condemned the blast and expressed
condolences to the bereaved families.

Demanding the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in view of his 'failure' to control the law-and-order situation, he called for a probe into the incident.

The Raza Academy and Ulema Council called for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the blast.