Indian Minister's 'fatwa' for cartoonist's head!

Yaqoob Qureshi

The controversy over offensive caricatures continues all over the world. India simmered again on Friday. The 'fatwa' over the ongoing controversy regarding derogatory cartoon, has come from Meerut.

Haji Yaqub, who is a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, today announced a reward of Rs 51 crore to the person who would eliminate the cartoonist. The amount roughly translates at around $10 million or Rs 500 million.

Addressing a huge rally in Meerut in Western UP, Haji Yaqub Qureshi, said that the person who will perform this task will be weighed in gold. The announcement was made soon after the Friday prayers were held.

Naturally, media picked up the news. Such a call definitely evokes the interest of journalists. But I am wondering when will this controversy end? I think there have been enough protests [against caricatures of Prophet Muhammad in a Denmark newspaper] now in the country.

Surely, there much more serious things the Muslims need to think of. It is in the best interests of the community and its leaders to leave behind such controversial issues, and move ahead. For a Google map showing places were protests were held on this issue across the world Click here