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Rediff.com  » News » 'Modi's refusal of skull cap is an insult to Islam'
This article was first published 13 years ago

'Modi's refusal of skull cap is an insult to Islam'

Last updated on: September 19, 2011 16:33 IST

Image: Gujarat CM Narendra Modi at the fast venue

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi refused to put on a skull cap offered by a Muslim cleric during his sadbhavana fast in Ahmedabad.

Sayed Imam Shahi Saiyed, a cleric of a small dargah in Pirana village on the outskirts of the city (he lives in Savali village of Dakor taluka), had on Sunday gone up to the stage to greet the chief minister at the Gujarat University Convention hall.

'Modi's refusal of skull cap is an insult to Islam'

Image: Narendra Modi at the fast venue

He offered Modi a skull cap, but the Gujarat CM politely refused to wear it, asking him to offer a shawl instead. The Imam did so, and Modi was seen accepting it.

"Modi's refusal to accept the cap is not my insult but an insult of Islam," Saiyed told reporters on Monday.

'Maybe he thought wearing it will dent his image'

Image: Narendra Modi at the fast venue

"I had come to Ahmedabad after hearing about the sadbhavna mission fast and went to the stage to felicitate Modi.

"When I offered him the cap he told me that he would not wear it. He might have thought that wearing a skull cap will dent his image," the cleric said.

'Modi's policy is not of appeasement'

Image: Narendra Modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, said it was a non-issue.

"Narendra Modi has clearly said that his policy is not of appeasement of a section of society unlike other parties, but our approach is development for all and treating everyone as an equal," party spokesperson Vijay Rupani said.

'This is a non-issue'

Image: Members of the minority community at the fast venue
Photographs: Reuben N V/Rediff.com
"Thousands of members of the minority community have come here but nobody insisted that Modi put on a skull cap. This is a non-issue which is being turned into a big one by our opponents," Rupani said.