Mumbai, February 14 The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday said the BJP's attack on the Uddhav Thackeray-led party over appointing Syed Iqbal, a Muslim, as mayor of Parbhani reflects its mental bankruptcy.
In an editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT)'s mouthpiece, Saamana, the party said the BJP has no problem with actor Salman Khan sitting next to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief, but has issues if a Marathi-speaking Muslim and a "loyal Shiv Sainik" becomes mayor of Parbhani.
The editorial was referring to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's interaction here with personalities from different walks of life last week.
Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Syed Iqbal was recently elected as the mayor of Parbhani City Municipal Corporation, making it the first time the party has chosen a Muslim to head any city corporation.
The party also accused the BJP of inciting Hindus. It further said that the US has 1 per cent Hindus, the UK has 1.6 per cent, Australia has 3 per cent, and Arab nations have 6 per cent, but Hindus are safe there.
However, in India, Hindus, comprising 85 per cent of the population, are still unsafe, the editorial claimed, adding, "the real danger to Hindus is from the BJP."
The editorial pointed out that Sikandar Bhakt, one of seven important leaders who formed the BJP, was a Muslim, and those making noise against Iqbal's election do not seem to be aware of this.
It further said that Iqbal becoming the mayor of Parbhani was a result of his loyalty.
The editorial said that 12 BJP corporators in Parbhani are Muslims. In the BJP-controlled Jintur Municipal Council, its deputy president Mehmunissa Pathan is a Muslim woman, it added.
"It is fine when you (BJP) do it, but when others do it, they (BJP) resort to instigating fights between Hindus and Muslims," the editorial added.