For Immediate Release:
March 17, 2004
New York, N.Y.,Indian Muslim Council-USA,
an advocacy group of Indian-Americans dedicated to the preservation of
India's pluralist ethos, denounced Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan's pandering
of Hindutva-fascist leader Bal Thackeray. Zaheer Khan has reportedly implied
to the media that only "subversive" elements of the Indian society consider
Hindu militant leader Bal Thackeray as anti-Muslim.
Dr. Shaik Ubaid, President of IMC-USA
said, "Bal Thackeray is complicit in the murders of thousands of innocent
Indians and his appalling views on Muslims and minorities are well known.
To refer to Bal Thackeray as secular is the ultimate insult to secularism."
Bal Thackarey has reportedly expressed satisfaction on the remarks of Zaheer
Khan, and that according to Dr. Ubaid, "speaks volumes of Thackeray's guilt
that seeks a certificate of legitimacy from a sportsman."
Dr. Ubaid further added that Indian
Muslims are constantly under pressure from the militant Hindu supremacists
to prove their loyalty to India and believes that Zaheer Khan, who has
just come off the injury list and is struggling with his form, is under
similar pressure.
"Zaheer should cement his place
in the Indian team through his performance and not by appeasing mass murderers
who consider Adolf Hitler as their role model," declared Dr. Ubaid.
Dr Ubaid also castigated the Pakistani
media for asking questions that would have caused difficulties to Zaheer
Khan at the hands of Hindutva-fascists if answered truthfully. "It could
be a distraction tactic by the Pakistanis to counter Zaheer's effectiveness
as India's premier strike bowler." Dr. Ubaid exhorted the young Indian
paceman to tackle the Pakistani media googlies with prudence and stay away
from appeasing mass murderers.
Contact:
Shaik Ubaid
Tel: 516 567 0783
Email: media@imc-usa.org
Indian Muslim Council-USA
265 Sunrise Highway, Suite 1-355
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
