Hindu Vivek Kendra
A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF HINDUTVA
   
 
 
«« Back
 

Former SP minister Quereshi my political mentor: Pro-IS Mufti Abdul Sami Qasmi

Author: Rahul Tripathi
Publication: The Economic Times
Date: June 7, 2016
URL:   http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/former-sp-minister-quereshi-my-political-mentor-pro-is-mufti-abdul-sami-qasmi/articleshow/52628161.cms?from=mdr

Mufti Abdul Sami Qasmi, the fiery cleric arrested for being part of pan India Islamic State (IS) module has identified a former Samajwadi Party (SP) minister, Haji Yaqoob Quereshi as his political mentor on whose request he also fought polls during the 2007 UP assembly elections.

Qasmi was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in February this year for giving provocative speeches in support of Abu Bark-al Baghdadi led caliphate.

The former minister Yaqoob was in news for using derogatory language against then BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi during his campaign for 2014 general election where he referred Modi as 'darinda'.

Yaqoob had quit SP and joined BSP from where he was expelled later by Mayawati. In 2015, he was also booked by UP police for supporting attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Speaking to ET, Qureshi who is currently with BSP said, " I know Qasmi. He was part of UDF. I was not aware if he was involved in such activities (terrorism)". Qasmi during his questioning recently also claimed that he along with Qureshi and Delhi's Jama Masjid Imam Syed Ahmad Bukhari floated a political party United Democratic Front (UDF).

However, Bukhari denied knowing Qasmi but said he was part of UDF when it was floated in UP. Speaking to ET he said, "I do not know Qasmi. It was Yaqoob who got Qasmi. I later disassociated myself from UDF."

Qasmi contested UP assembly election in 2007 on the ticket on UDF from Swar Tanda constituency of Rampur but lost.

He also claimed before NIA that it was Yaqoob who introduced him to politics in 2006 with the motive to place demands related to Muslim community before UP Samajwadi Party's government. They also felt that there was inadequate representation of Muslim community in present political system, said an official quoting Qasmi.

According to NIA, Qasmi's lectures on Islam and his radical views had deep influence on the minds of young men and women following which they were ready to join Islamic State (IS) in Syria. He is likely to be chargesheeted by NIA along with scores of others who have been arrested by NIA for being part of the Islamic State inspired module in India.

Also known as 'Mulla Hareta' in political circles, Qasmi real name is Samiullah. He changed his name to Abdul Sami while pursuing religious education from Deoband, said officials who did not wish to be identified. He studied up to 5th standard in a government school in Hareta near Rampur land later at a public school at Rampur. He is said to have left formal schooling in 1983 to fulfil his father wish to become Imam.
 
«« Back
 
 
 
  Search Articles
 
  Special Annoucements