It’s Shariat and not politicians to decide on Muslims: Shafi Saadi
Minister Zameer’s statement irks religious leaders
Bengaluru: The statement of Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan that “Muslims will not vote for BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Even if anybody voted, they are not Muslims” has triggered controversy.
It is Shariat to decide ‘Who is Muslim and how they should be’ and not the politicians, said Karnataka Muslim Jamaat general secretary Moulana NKM Shafi Saadi.
“Those who are in responsible positions should not give such statements. The Minister should give clarification. I will speak to him about the issue. If he gave such statement purposefully, there is no difference between Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde and himself. Only Shariat will decide on how the Muslims should be and not the politicians”, he said.
Expresses dissatisfaction
Opposition BJP, social media users and religious leaders expressed their anger about the Minister’s statement saying that “Religion is personal issue. Voting is Constitutional right. Instead of creating awareness on how to use it, no one should try to divide the society and disturb the communal harmony”.
“It shows how the Congress leaders who speak about secularism were afraid of the BJP. After independence, the Congress has cheated the Muslims who are not considering the statements of such leaders. Muslim brothers have understood who will protect their interests”, said BJP state general secretary N Ravi Kumar.
Muslims have been questioning the contributions of Congress leaders for their welfare after the independence. Now all Congress leaders including Minister Zameer Ahmed should introspect themselves, he said in a statement.
“Every citizen in India got voting power due to Constitution and everyone should understand that this right is not given on the basis of any religion. The Minister could have given politically motivated statement. But no one has given the right to the Minister to say that ‘you are not the Muslims if you voted a particular political party”.
-Mufti Bakhar Arshad, state president, All India Milly Council
“It is the decision of the eligible voter to vote to whom. They should create awareness on participating in the voting process and it is not fair to give such statements. It is better to neglect such issues. No one including the community or the society will accept such statements. People should not forget that only Islam will say who is Muslim and how he should be”.
- Atharulla Sharief, state president, Jamaate Islami Hind
“Congress party has not done even a single for the Muslims. Justice Sachar Committee report disclosed that the Muslims had worst situation than dalits in the Congress administration. A few days ago, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had said that ‘Congress is not a party of Muslims’. People have elected you to work for the community and not the party. The community has many problems. Instead of ensuring free education to the children and releasing the innocents who were arrested, the Minister said that ‘you are not a Muslim if you have not voted the Congress’ and it is like a Fatwa. The religious leaders will guide the Muslims on how to follow Islam and there is nothing to learn from political leaders. The Minister should stop giving such statements. The Minister who has not spoken anything against Ajith Hanumakkanavar who disrespected the Prophet in Suvarna TV channel, has spoken like that which is a shame”.
-AJ Khan, state president, Dalits and Minorities Sene
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CSK's Ayush Mhatre ruled out of remainder of IPL 2026 due to hamstring injury
New Delhi (PTI): Chennai Super Kings batter Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing IPL season due to a hamstring injury, dealing a major blow to the five-time champions.
The franchise said Mhatre, who sustained the injury during CSK’s previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18, will require a rehabilitation period of six to 12 weeks.
"Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 due to a left hamstring injury sustained while batting during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18.
"Ayush's injury will require a rehabilitation period of 6-12 weeks," CSK announced on its social media on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old, who came in as an impact substitute, was seen in visible discomfort and clutched his hamstring while attempting a run during CSK’s 10-run loss to SRH in Hyderabad.
He required on-field treatment and, although he continued briefly, was dismissed soon after.
"It looks pretty bad, unfortunately. And he's going to be a big, big loss because he's been in really nice touch for us," CSK's batting coach Mike Hussey had said at the post-match press conference.
Mhatre has been CSK's standout batter this season. He lea collecting 201 runs from six matches at a strike-rate of 177.87.
Chennai Super Kings have endured a poor start to the 2026 season, losing four of their six matches to languish in eighth place.
