What's the rationale behind demand to remove Jinnah's portrait? asks Islamic body

An Islamic organisation on Saturday questioned the rationale behind the demand of few right-wing activists for removing a portrait of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah from the famous Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

"What is the rationale behind such a demand after it has been there in public view for the past 80 years? Even if someone has such a demand, they can move courts for the same... Why such a row over it?" asked Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari.

Stating it as a small issue that has been blown out of proportion, Umari said it has been a long practise in AMU to put up portraits of its lifetime members of the students’ union in the campus.

Since 1938, Jinnah’s picture was in the campus. No one had raised any questions regarding it, he told the media.

Umari claimed that even some senior BJP leaders had not questioned Jinnah’s role in the freedom fight against the British.

It was a matter that needs to be resolved through talks with the students’ union, the JIH leader added.

The row started after local BJP MP Satish Gautam wrote to AMU, objecting the display of the portrait.

Umari also questioned the policies of the BJP-led central government and alleged that secularism, democracy and the fundamental rights of the people of India are in danger.

He added that JIH would extend their support to those who are ready to fight the saffron party.