Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Wednesday said her statement asking Muslim leaders to be ‘communal’, has been distorted and misconstrued.
“I am shocked that my statement has been distorted and misconstrued as ‘communal’ and ‘inciting hatred’. My party has always stood against communalism and will continue to do so,” said Shazia.
“It is pretty evident in the conversation that I am using the word ‘secular’ and ‘communal’ in an ironic manner. The point was simply to say that the Muslim community has allowed itself to be used for secular politics,” she added.
She also said she was campaigning for a candidate who is not a Muslim.
She further asked, “Neither Meera Sanyal nor Mayank Gandhi are Muslim, nor is Kejriwal. I was asking to vote for them. So, how is it communal?”
In a video posted on Youtube, Ilmi is seen appealing to Muslim leaders to be communal.
“I am saying Muslims are very secular. Muslims need to be communal. A Muslim isn’t communal – doesn’t vote for his own. Arvind Kejriwal is one of you. You are too. Don’t be this secular. Look after your own homes interests,” Ilmi said in the video.
Meanwhile, the AAP has issued a clarification through Twitter, saying “AAP does not believe in this kind of politics nor does it endorse it.” (ANI)