Shahi Imam lashes out at Uttar Pradesh government

Lucknow - Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, has come down heavily on the Samajwadi Party (SP) government in Uttar Pradesh for its "inability to ensure the safety of Muslims" during the communal riots at Mathura.

Prevented from going to the violence-hit area, the Imam was talking to mediapersons at the circuit house in Agra Sunday.

Targeting the SP, for whom he had sought support in the state assembly elections, Bukhari rued the fact that not a single statement had been issued by the government on the rioting.

"Around 80 percent Muslims voted for the SP in the state assembly elections, but I must admit now that the vote has gone waste," he said, adding that in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the ruling party will face a drubbing.

"Muslims are suffering despite their support for the party, in the same way the SP will suffer reverses in the Lok Sabha polls," Bukhari predicted.

Violence broke out last week in Kosi Kalan region of Mathura. While rioters went on rampage for more than eight hours, torching vehicles, business establishments and schools, firing at each other, the police failed to act on time, leading to escalation of violence.

The communal frenzy left four dead and tarred the image of the two-month-old Akhilesh Yadav government.

No violence was reported Monday.