Bihar minister apologises for shouting 'Jai Shri Ram'

Patna: Bihar Minority Affairs Minister Khurshid Alam alias Firoz Ahmad on Sunday apologised for shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' following which he faced criticism from his community and a fatwa was also issued against him.

"In case I hurt people by shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' I apologise for it," said Alam of the Janata Dal-United.

Taking an U turn from his earlier stand, he said he did not shout it for a religious purpose.

According to JD-U leaders, Alam's apology came after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asked him to do so in view of growing controversy.

A Mufti of the influential Imarat-e-Shariya here issued a fatwa against Khurshid Alam for shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' deeming him ostracised.

Mufti Suhail Ahmad Qasmi however said that it was his personal fatwa against Alam, not of the Imarat-e-Shariya.

Alam, who had loudly chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' in the assembly premises on Friday, had earlier told media here that he hardly bothers about any kind of fatwa against him.

"I am not at all worried or take it (fatwa) seriously. I am not afraid of such a fatwa... I am true Mussalman and there is nothing wrong in my faith," he said, adding that there is nothing wrong if he has chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' for the sake of harmony and development of the state.

"I will chant Jai Shri Ram again if I think it is necessary for peace and harmony," he had added.