MIM, RSS stoking communal passion in UP: Intel

Lucknow: Intelligence agencies have alerted the Uttar Pradesh government on growing activities of Majlis-e Ittehadul Muslimin and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the state. The two groups, agencies say, are stoking communal sentiments in the state.
Hindu outfits have stirred controversy in west UP by starting a religious conversion/reversion campaign. On the other hand, not a single MP from the community was elected from UP to the Lok Sabha so Muslim outfits are worked up for the 2017 assembly elections.
Emergence of MIM on the state’s political landscape has been noted by the intelligence headquarters which has alerted UP government that despite it being not allowed to hold convention in the state, it is getting foothold and the youth of the community are deserting other camps to join it. MIM was founded by late Salahuddin Owaisi, and his sons MP Asaduddin Owaisi and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi of Andhra Pradesh are now ruling the party. Akbaruddin was jailed for inflammatory speech, but enjoys support of community youth.
Before the elections, the MIM leadership wanted to hold conventions in Azamgarh, but permission was denied. As the 2017 assembly elections draw closer, MIM has started expanding its base and other Muslim outfits like Ulema Council and Peace Party are facing exodus of its members joining this organisation.
Shaukat Ali Mahuli, who was previously an office- bearer of the Ulema Council has become state convenor of the MIM while another functionary Kalim Zameri also joined the ranks of MIM to mobilise support. “MIM has been organising indoor meetings in the state capital and people from different parts of the state attended it too,” said intelligence inputs.
Intelligence agencies are also decoding a pattern in the events of the sangh parivar. Speeches of BJP leaders Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti ,Yogi Adityanath, Sakshi Maharaj and Swami Chinmayananad are being watched. Even the statement of Governor Ram Naik advocating strongly for the completion of the Ram Temple has been taken note of.
“We are keeping the government informed with our inputs and it is for the government to decide and act,” said an intelligence officer.