Chinmayanand demands ouster of Haji Yakub from Mulayam ministry

Lucknow, Feb 24 (UNI) Former union minister Swami Chinmayanand today demanded the ouster of Haji Yakub Qureshi from the Mulayam Singh Yadav ministry for offering Rs 51 crore on the Danish cartoonist's head, who caricatured Prophet Mohammed.

In a memorandum to Mr Yadav on behalf of Uma Bharti's 'Janadesh Yatra Samiti', the former union minister -- who is a member of BJP national council -- said such ''public stunts'' were unbecoming of ministers and those occupying constitutional seats.

''The 'jehadi language' used by Mr Qureshi will only promote communal sentiments in the society...I wonder why the Uttar Pradesh government took no action against him,'' he added.

The Samiti also demanded legal action against the minister by claiming such statements also amounted to ''supari'' killing (contract killing).

He claimed the recent statement by the 'Hindu Personal Law Board' offering money on the hand and head of painter M F Hussain for portraying Hindu gods in ''bad picture'' was noting but a reaction to Qureshi's public outburst.

''Such statements and the resultant reactions are not good for the society,'' he added.

He claimed if the CM did not remove Qureshi, his organisation would hold a demonstration in the state capital on March 2 and demand president's rule in UP.

''I will invite all like-minded organisations, including the BJP to join the protest. People in the ruling SP who are against such statements by ministers are also welcome to join me,'' he commented.

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