People begin to offer money, gold to Yaqoob

FOR ALL those who doubted Haj Minister Haji Yaqoob Qureshi’s standing in collecting the money and gold he promised for killing the Danish cartoonist, here is some news.  Aid from far-flung places, in the form of gold ornaments and registry of properties, has already started pouring in for the cause.

On Tuesday, groups of people from Sardhana tehsil, Gudri and Islamabad colonies came and extended their support to the minister. A number of burqa clad women handed over their ornaments to the minister as their contribution to the reward money. Many offered their property papers as their share to the reward money.

After addressing the gathering, the minister, however, refused to accept their contributions. “I will demand it when time comes,” he told the gathering extending his thanks to the people for their gesture. Insisting that it was a religious matter that should not be politicised, the minister declined to comment on his future course of action.   

Also, the All India Jamiatul Quresh today decided to felicitate the rabble-rouser on February 26 in Lucknow.  The organisation assailed all those, including some Samajwadi Party leaders, who had criticised Yaqoob’s statement.

President of the organisation Mohd Yusuf Qureshi said the minister’s call did not violate the law of the land. He said the BJP and the Congress had been trying to politicise the issue. Moves were afoot here today to mobilise the ulema (clerics) in his support.

Meanwhile, the pro and anti Yaqoob groups took to the streets. People jammed traffic in Meerut in support of the minister while the Hindu Mahasabha continued its indefinite dharna at the Meerut collectorate demanding expulsion of the minister.

Terming the news of his resignation yet another gimmick of the opposition, Yaqoob on Tuesday clarified that he would tender his resignation only if Chief Minister Mulayam Singh demands it.

“Why should I tender my resignation, I have not committed any sin,” reiterated the minister. Regarding a criminal case lodged against him by a Ghaziabad based advocate for declaring a cash reward, the minister held the BJP responsible for hatching a conspiracy against him.

While attending the groups of clansmen at his residence, the minister called upon the visitors not to burn effigies and abstain themselves from criticising any party or community.