Mumbai: A section of Muslim leaders have slammed AIMIM leader and former MLA Waris Pathan for his remark that a burqa-clad practising Muslim can become Mumbai Mayor. They said that such utterances only result in polarising votes and he should have avoided making such a comment.“Mumbai needs a mayor who is secular, honest, accessible, and fully focused on development — strengthening civic infrastructure, housing, healthcare, employment and disaster management. He or she doesn’t indulge in polarising politics and use us to divert from our real issues,” said Asif Farooqui, Mumbai Congress general secretary, and court member of AMU & Jamia Millia Islamia University.Businessman Nasir Jamal said this wishful thinking about a Muslim becoming Mumbai Mayor is to distract from the real issues. “Muslims, like others, need clean air, good roads and health infrastructure. This polarising politics of looking for a mayor based on religious identity is dangerous. All communities should first elect competent corporators,” said Jamal.Farooqui added that he has appealed to the city Muslims to stay united, vigilant, and become politically mature so that they can identify and isolate divisive elements, including those from within.
