Lucknow, Sep 19 (IANS) Condemning Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's three-day fast as “melodrama”, a leading Islamic scholar Monday urged both Muslims and Hindus to pray seeking divine punishment for Modi.


While Lucknow-based Shia scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawaad urged Muslims to observe a 'roza' Friday and seek 'dua' for punishment to Modi, Darul Uloom Deoband chief Maulana Abul Qasmi Nomani flayed Modi for the 2002 communal killings in Gujarat.

Nomani criticized Muslims who were seen at Modi's fast venue in Ahmedabad.

Addressing reporters here, Jawaad asked: “If Modi feels he can be pardoned simply by sitting on a three-day fast, then I would like to ask him if he will be ready to grant reprieve to terrorists like Ajmal Kasab or Afzal Guru too.”

“Modi's crime cannot be condoned just because he observes a fast. I appeal to all Muslims and Hindus to simultaneously observe 'roza' and 'upvas' (fast) accompanied with prayers seeking divine intervention to ensure punishment for the man man who was responsible for the killing of innocent Muslims in Gujarat.

"If the court fails to punish him, we will implore upon the Almighty to award punishment to him.”

Expressing shock over the presence of some Muslims at the venue, the Deoband chief said: “Considering that Modi's past record and role in anti-Muslim riots was known to all, it was not merely shocking and disheartening to find that some Muslims called on Modi. They ought to know that their act was highly anti-Islamic.”