Dalai Lama condemns branding of Muslims as terrorists

New Delhi, June 1 : Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Sunday condemned moves to brand the Muslim community as 'terrorists' in the wake of the recent spurt in terror activities in India.

Inaugurating the 'Global Conference on Terrorism' here, he said that it was wrong to brand Muslims as terrorists because of the views and deeds of a few mischievous people.

"Some mischievous people and their deeds generalize whole religion. Because of these incidents, it creates impression that Muslims are militants. It is wrong. I'm Buddhist but I am defending Islam," he said.

He is expected to visit Jama Masjid (Mosque) today for the first time.

India has suffered a wave of militant attacks in recent years, with targets ranging from mosques; temples to trains but few groups came forward to claim responsibility for the attacks.

Islamist militant groups in Pakistan and Bangladesh who aim to spread hatred between Muslims and Hindus and damage fragile peace process between New Delhi and Islamabad, are often blamed for the bomb attacks in India.

ANI