Vyapam scam : Congress firm on MP bandh on Eid eve

Bhopal, July 15: Congress in Madhya Pradesh is firm on its plan to organise a state-wide Bandh on Thursday seeking resignation of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the Vyapam scam, despite reservations voiced by sections in Muslim community as it is happens on the eve of Eid.

"We are not forcing anyone to take part in the bandh. Businessmen and people who want to participate in it are welcome. We are appealing for a peaceful bandh since day one," AICC general secretary and party's state in-charge Mohan Prakash told reporters here.

Asked about the reservations of the Muslim community over the bandh as it may affect their preparations of Eid, he said, "No Muslim leader has approached us complaining that the bandh was affecting their preparations of Eid."

A leader close to the lone Muslim Congress MLA from North Bhopal, Arif Aqueel, said the legislator was upset with the plan to organise the bandh as it will affect the Muslim dominated constituency.

We are not forcing anyone to take part in the bandh: Congress

"Please ask the state Congress chief Arun Yadav what they stand to achieve with the bandh ?" Aqueel told PTI when his comment was sought.

"Congress should have organised the bandh after Eid. At this crucial time we make purchases for Eid celebrations," a senior Sunni Muslim journalist said.

He said the shut-down is planned just a day ahead of Bohra community Eid on July 17. Our Eid too is falling on July 18 or July 19, he added.

Meanwhile, some businessmen have put up posters against tomorrow's bandh at some places in the busy Chowk Bazaar area here which has a strong concentration of Muslims who are doing brisk Eid-eve shopping.

PTI