Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan, who is leading a 17-member delegation of ministers and MLAs on a five-nation tour
Lucknow:
Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan, slammed for leading a multi-nation study tour at a time the state government has been accused of neglecting thousands affected by the Muzaffarnagar riots, has said he is being targeted just because he is a Muslim and 'poor.'
"In the past, BJP leaders have also led delegations but nobody questioned it. But a 'gareeb' (poor) Azam Khan is being liked at an international level and people can't stand it," he said in a statement from abroad.
"A weak Azam khan cannot help anyone. Only when he becomes powerful can he help people from his community. I am a Muslim and leading the delegation, which is why the controversy."
Azam Khan was criticized by the BJP for flying abroad despite being in charge of the Muzaffarnagar district, where thousands of families are trying to survive in poorly equipped relief camps after the September communal clashes.
He is among 17 ministers and legislators who are on an 18-day tour covering Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Netherlands, Britain and the UAE. Though it is described as a tour to study parliamentary systems of other countries, the itinerary is packed with sightseeing. (read: UP ministers on seven-nation tour)
In his response to the criticism, Azam Khan hit out at the media. "The media is working with forces who are trying to weaken us. The people of Muzaffarnagar know who their well-wisher is," Mr Khan said.
Last week, state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also lashed out at the media and asked for an apology for reports criticising the Saifai Mahotsava at his ancestral village, which closed with a grand Bollywood night and was seen as poorly-timed when many in Muzaffarnagar are suffering.
"In the past, BJP leaders have also led delegations but nobody questioned it. But a 'gareeb' (poor) Azam Khan is being liked at an international level and people can't stand it," he said in a statement from abroad.
"A weak Azam khan cannot help anyone. Only when he becomes powerful can he help people from his community. I am a Muslim and leading the delegation, which is why the controversy."
Azam Khan was criticized by the BJP for flying abroad despite being in charge of the Muzaffarnagar district, where thousands of families are trying to survive in poorly equipped relief camps after the September communal clashes.
He is among 17 ministers and legislators who are on an 18-day tour covering Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Netherlands, Britain and the UAE. Though it is described as a tour to study parliamentary systems of other countries, the itinerary is packed with sightseeing. (read: UP ministers on seven-nation tour)
In his response to the criticism, Azam Khan hit out at the media. "The media is working with forces who are trying to weaken us. The people of Muzaffarnagar know who their well-wisher is," Mr Khan said.
Last week, state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav also lashed out at the media and asked for an apology for reports criticising the Saifai Mahotsava at his ancestral village, which closed with a grand Bollywood night and was seen as poorly-timed when many in Muzaffarnagar are suffering.
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