Muslim cleric issues fatwa against Bengal BJP chief

Kolkata: A Muslim cleric on Monday said he has issued a fatwa against Dilip Ghosh for making 'filthy' comments against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, drawing a bitter reaction from the state BJP president. Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque Maulana Noor-ur Rahman Barkati told a press conference on Monday that he has issued the fatwa against Ghosh for "making filthy comments against the chief minister".

"From where does he get such audacity to make filthy comments against our beloved chief minister who is the most secular leader of our country? I issued the fatwa which states that he should be pelted with stones and then kicked out of Bengal. He does not deserve to stay in Bengal," Barkati said.

Barkati was accompanied by TMC MP Idris Ali, who too condemned Ghosh for his comments.

Reacting to the Barkati's charges, Ghosh lashed out at him and said this country is neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh that he could issue fatwa and would go scot-free.

"What does Barkati think, is this Bangladesh or Pakistan that he will issue fatwa against me? He can issue fatwa against TMC, they will listen to him, but not BJP. It seems that Barkati no longer wishes to stay in Bengal or India. I think he is planning to migrate to Pakistan or Bangladesh," Ghosh told PTI.

The Trinamool Congress had yesterday condemned Ghosh for using "abusive and goonda-like" language against Banerjee, while announcing a three-day protest against the Centre's demonetisation of high-value notes.