UP Shia Central Waqf Board Chairman Waseem Rizvi who has been making headlines these days for his statements on various issues has claimed that he has been hounded by the clerics because he has hit them where it hurts the most. Waseem Rizvi has sparked controversies by supporting construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and by claiming that some madrasas breed terrorists.
In an interview to Hindustan Times, Waseem Rizvi claimed that his remarks were twisted and used out of context. He says, ‘I did not say all ‘madrasas’ are breeding ground for terrorists. I referred to only a few institutions in West Bengal and Kerala. Terrorists emerge from colleges and universities too. I raised 27 points in my reports about teachings in madrasas but only one point — the terror angle — was highlighted by the Muslim clergy.’
He went on to say that running madrasas has become a ‘dhanda’ (money-making venture). A lot of money is given by way of donations and grants, both from within the country and abroad. Ironically, those running madrasas send their own children to convent schools but want poor Muslim children to study here.
Speaking about his stand on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, he said ‘I submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya case in July last year when the court suggested that efforts should be made for an out-of-court settlement. I tried to convince the Sunni Waqf Board for a compromise but they refused.’
He asserted that the charges levied by the CB-CID against me are politically-motivated.