Delhi Minorities Commission chairman in trouble for making anti-national remarks

"Aaj kal kuchh log ne theka le rakhha hai ke unhone Bharat ko badnam hi karna hai (Some people have now taken upon themselves to defame India)". This is an angry BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain hitting back at Delhi Minorities Commission Chairman Zafarul-Islam Khan, demanding an investigation against him after he created a row by "thanking" Kuwait for its "support" to Indian Muslims against what he called "Hindutva bigots".

The former Union minister stressed on Khan's alleged political affiliation to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the ruling party in India's capital.

"I condemn the language used by the Aam Aadmi Party leader; there should be a probe against him. It is a big crime. No nation has the right to intervene in India's internal matters, even if that is an Arab nation. Because worldwide, the largest Muslim population lives in India after Indonesia. And for them, there can not be a better nation than India to live in and a better leader than (Narendra) Modi," he said.

In a long social media post yesterday, Zafarul-Islam Khan had warned the "Hindutva bigots," saying that Indian Muslims have not complained to the Muslim world about the "lynchings" and "riots" in India. "Mind you, bigots, Indian Muslims have opted until now not to complain to the Arab and Muslim world about the hate campaigns and lynchings and riots. The day they are pushed to do that, bigots will face an avalanche," Khan had said.

He also said that the "bigots forgot that Indian Muslims enjoy huge goodwill in the eyes of the Arab and Muslim world for their services over centuries to Islamic causes, excellence in Islamic and Arabic scholarship, cultural and civilizational gifts to world heritage."

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On Wednesday, he said that nothing more should be added to his post.

Khan said that he has not complained against his country to any foreign government or organization, nor does he intend to do so in the future. "This tweet is in the background of how the issues of Muslims have been dealt with in our country, be it lynching, riots, media bashing or redressal of their problems in political and administrative processes," he said.

Khan said he was vocal about the problems in the country.

"I have not complained against my country to any foreign government or organization nor I intend to do so in the future. I am a patriot to the core and I have always defended my country abroad. However, at the same time, I have always been vocal about the problems in our country like any other country, but I also believe that we and our political, constitutional and judicial system are capable of tackling them," he said.

Khan also said that he always defended India in the Arabic media.

"According to my knowledge, Indian Muslims have never complained against their country to outside powers. I, like other Indian Muslims, believe in rule of law, the Indian Constitution and the fine institutions our country has," he said.

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The DMC chairperson also said that he was never a member of the AAP. "The Commission I head is a statutory and independent body governed by the Delhi Minorities Commission Act, 1999. AAP or its government in Delhi do not run the Commission and are not accountable for what the Commission does," he said.

Saying that his views have been distorted and many false statements and opinions have been attributed to him, Khan said he "will take appropriate legal steps available to me."

But it seems that a huge damage has already been done.

BJP leader, Shazia Ilmi, has also demanded Khan's resignation. "This bigot must resign immediately," she said.

Party leaders said Prime Minister Narendra Modi doesn't discriminate among the people. Yet, India is being defamed based on few incidents and no country has the right to intervene in India's internal matters.

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Late Wednesday, Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta, who's also the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, shot off a letter to Delhi Lieutenant Governor asking him to investigate the matter and remove

Zafarul-Islam Khan as the chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission with immediate effect.

"This is a very serious matter involving anti-national activities of Zafarul-Islam Khan and may have far reaching consequences for the national security which cannot be overlooked," Gupta wrote in his letter.

(With agency inputs).