Jinnah row: UP Deputy CM refuses to comment on SP Maurya's remark

Kanpur, May 3: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya today steered clear of the controversy over his ministerial colleague Swami Prasad Maurya's reported remarks in "praise" of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Keshav said the matter concerns the party and will be resolved there.

"Jinnah has no place in the country...he was an enemy of the country and will remain as one," he told newspersons when asked to comment on the controversy over Swami's reported statement.

Swami's reported statement that Jinnah contributed to India's freedom before partition had kicked up a row with even his own party leaders raising objections over it. He had, however, dismissed the allegations levelled against him a day later.

At least 28 students were injured in police lathicharge on Wednesday at the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University, which has been witnessing a row over a decades-old photograph of Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rapid Action Force of the Uttar Pradesh police was deployed after students and some right-wing activists almost came to blows. The right-wing activists were demanding the removal of Jinnah's photo, to which the students objected.

PTI