CPI(M) asks Centre to clarify who ordered Mumbai Muslims harassment

New Delhi, Aug 11 (UNI) Condemning the government for alleged targeting of Muslims in the wake of Mumbai blasts, CPI(M leader Brinda Karat today demanded that the Centre should clarify as to who ordered this.

''The Home Minister should come in the House and tell why and by whose order innocent Muslims of Mumbai were being harassed,'' she said raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha.

The Mumbai Police Commissioner has denied that he had not given such an order, but the Deputy Chief Minister had said that the directive had come from National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, so it was imperative that the Centre should come out with immediate clarification, she said.

Ms Karat said the situation was very unfortunate as innocent Muslims were being picked up selectively, called to police stations and the onus of proving themselves innocent was being put on them against all norms.

''A film unit goes to a Gulf country. Out of 30 people, only one person, a well-known dance choreographer who happens to be a Muslim, is picked up for questioning after the unit comes back, slums are being raided and poor Muslims are being picked up without any proof. What kind of message was the Government trying to give by all this?'' she said.

''We want to know who has given this directive. Let the Home Minister come and tell,'' she added.

Echoing the same views, Mr Abu Asim Azmi, Samajwadi Party MP from Maharashtra, said the harassment of Muslims in Mumbai was sending a very wrong message to the whole nation.

He demanded that the guilty police officers be suspended so as to restore the confidence of the community in the administration.

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