Media report on Bohra fabricated, say community leaders

Ahmedabad, Dec 9 (UNI) An appeal published in a leading popular English daily urging the Bohra community to vote for the BJP is ''baseless and fabricated'', said two leading members of the Bohra community today.

Addressing mediapersons jointly here, Yousuf Mucchala, senior counsel practising in Supreme Court and a Bohra community leader, and Ismail Merchant, former Gujarat Charity Commissioner, said no such appeal has ever been made to the Bohra community either by the spiritual head Syed Sydna nor by any of us.

''We are perturbed by the report, which stated that Dawoodi Bohras are generally supporters of the BJP,'' they said.

''In fact, we wish to clarify that there is no move to support any political party,'' both the leaders told reporters.

''The community is free to vote for anyone without fear or favour. It has been one of the worst sufferers during the riots and resents forces that are divisive in nature. It stands and abides by the rule of law and democratic values,'' the duo added.

UNI