LUCKNOW:Is Akbar Ahmad “Dumpy,” onetime close associate of Sanjay Gandhi and member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) from Uttar Pradesh, the new Messiah of Muslims in the making? Is he going 10 join the former chief minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, president of Samajwadi party, in this venture?

So it would seem judging by his recent actions. At present he is on a fast-unto-death. Earlier, he had staged a fourday dharna in Bareilly to protest against the government’s failure to transfer those officials, allegedly responsible for committing atrocities against the Muslims during the not’s following the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Ahmad, who was recently in the state capital, Jaunched a scathing attack against his own party bosses, the Prime Ministcr and the home minister. He demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and the home minister at a Press conference here. He said it was disgraceful that nobody had owned responsibility for the demolition of Babri Masjid and its violent fallout.

He also lashed out at the Center for its failure to take notice against the state government officials, responsible for atrociues against the Muslims. Despite President’s rule, certain police and administrative officials in Bareilly, who had actively participated in the riots, and at times even led, the rioters, were still holding their jobs, Ahmad said. This had considerably demoralized the Muslims, he added.

Ahmad also met the governor and presented a memorandum demanding immediate action against these officials. But till date no action has been taken confirmed officials at the home department here. Rumors are rife here that Ahmad will soon join hands with Mulayam Singh Yaday, who has lately emerged as a champion of minorities’ causes and has a sub Stantial following in the state. Judging by Ahmad’s defiant attitude towards his party bosses this could not be ruled out.

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 29, 1993