New Delhi: When preaching Islam in India was slowly softening hearts, changing people, renowned preacher Dr Zakir Naik was forced to escape his own country to save his life, the government lodged numerous cases accusing him of promoting hatred, inciting violence.
Only recently we have learned that the Modi government has offered to scrap of the false charges levelled against him along with safe passage in exchange of his support on Kashmir, TimesNow reports.
Now, Opposition party Congress Senior leader Digvijaya Singh, on Wednesday backing Dr Zakir Naik alleged that ruling party BJP follows the strategy of ‘defaming individuals with false allegations’.
In a series of tweets, the leader attached a video showing Naik leveling allegations against PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, Digvijay Singh said if PM Modi and Amit Shah are not legally condemning Dr Zakir Naik’s claims then this could only mean the allegations leveled by him are ‘correct’.
“Who disagrees with them 1 – convince them, 2- If he doesn’t believe then threaten him 3- If he still does not believe then lure him with money. 4 – If he still does not agree, then defame him by making false accusations,” Singh tweeted.
“Months ago, men from the Indian embassy approached me for a private meeting with government officials. The official said that he is coming after personally meeting and under the direct instructions of Prime Minister Modi,” Dr Zakir Naik’s video said.
Dr Naik also claimed that the Indian ‘representative’ had sought his help to improve relations between India and other Muslim nations.
“The meeting lasted for several hours. And then, he told me to show support to BJP when they revoked Article 370 from Kashmir and I flatly refused. I said according to me, revoking Article 370 in Kashmir is unconstitutional. And they realised that I will not support them in acts of injustice. He said I can say anything against India’s agencies- ED, NIA, police. But I should not say anything against BJP government and Modi,” Naik can be heard saying.
“If you believe all the charges are dismissed and do not believe then accuse him of being a traitor and promote it very much. – If there is an opportunity when it can be used, then they do what Dr Zakir Naik mentioned,” Singh said in his tweet.
Congress party’s response to Singh’s claim is still awaited.