Senior MP gives clean chit to Imarat-e-Sharia

New Delhi, Nov 30 (UNI) A senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) member in the Lok Sabha today offered to tender his resignation if the allegation in a newspaper about the link of Imarat-e-Sharia to some terrorist organisations and Pakistani intelligence agencies was proved.

During zero hour, an agitated Ram Kripal Yadav said a Hindi newspaper had recently carried an article, quoting an IPS officer working with Railways, saying that Imarat-e-Sharia at Phulwari Sharif in Bihar was being used by Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and militant organisations such as Lashkar-e-Toiba and SIMI.

The report, which also alleged that the instituion was a hub of terrorists, was published without any investigation and verifying facts.

Intervening, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said that the concerned IPS officer came to the railways on deputation from the Uttar Pradesh cadre. "It is for the UP government to take action against him for his comments." Mr Prasad also vouched for the organisation, saying that it was a big institution.

Mr Ram Kripal Yadav said earlier that he was fully aware of the antecents of the Imarat-e-Sharia, which works as a religious and social organisations. In fact, the organisation was founded in 1961 and the foundation stone for the building was laid by Abdul Kalam Azad.

He said the instituion was a well respected one and a lot of people have faith in it.

"I will tender my resignation from the Lok Sabha if any investigation could find any wrong doing by Imarat-e-Sharia," he said.

UNI SH VD DB1351