Uttar Pradesh: Top Muslim cleric protests denial of permission for rally against terrorism, blames Azam Khan

A top Muslim cleric on Saturday alleged that UP Minister Azam Kham was behind the denial of permission for a proposed rally against terrorism, and by doing so, the state government had encouraged terrorists.

Talking to reporters, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said the denial of permission for the rally was very unfortunate and alleged that the permission was denied at the behest of state Urban Development Minister Mohammed Azam Khan. The all-religion rally would have given a strong message to terrorists, but political parties do not want that, he said.

"A red alert has been sounded in across the country after al-Qaeda tape, and in UP anti-terror rally has been banned. What does it mean?" he asked, and assured that a rally against terrorism would be organised and its date would be announced later.

Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara Swami Yatinandanand Giri said that terrorism was a Satanic act and a message of humanity was to be given through rally. Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri had announced in a video posted online earlier this week that the terror outfit would start a new wing dedicated to waging 'jihad' in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.