Photographs: Sahil Salvi N Ganesh in Mumbai
"In India, every individual has the right to practise their religion. It is not correct for a person who is not from the community to interfere in matters of Shariat," said Maulana Moin Miya Ashraf, secretary of the Jamia Qadriya Islamia.
"This is an irresponsible statement. The Shiv Sena is turning towards communal issues as its linguistic agenda has been hijacked by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. In Delhi, Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Gadkari is flummoxed and here the Sena leadership is fishing for new issues to sustain the party," said Sayyad Ayub, a Congress worker.
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'Doing away with burqa is not possible'
Photographs: Reuters
"The burqa is a requirement as laid down in the tenets of Shariat as pronounced by Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). As it will be inappropriate for Muslims to comment on Hindu religious practices, the same will also apply for interference in Muslim religious practices. As far as the security issue is concerned it should be tightened," said Maulana Fariduzzama, a cleric.
'This controversy will only lead to disharmony'
Image: Advocate S G Abbas Kazmi, who represented Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 case"Sena chief Bal Thackeray has the freedom to express his views. In the last 25 years there have been several proactive statements from him. With his latest stand on burqa, we are speechless. As far as he is concerned, might is right," said Maulana Shoaib Koti, vice president of the Qaumi Majilis-e-Shura.
'The MNS has hijacked the Sena's issues'
Image: A Muslim woman shows her ink-marked finger after votingPhotographs: K K Arora/Reuters
"Interference in another religion is not appropriate. As far security issues are concerned, no Muslim should object to their face being seen by security personnel. One has to learn to live with heightened security," said Hanif Pitalwala, principal of Holy Crescent school in Mumbra.
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