'Jai Shri Ram' used as signature slogan to instill fear among people, alleges Mehbooba

Srinagar, Jul 16: Reacting to reports that a Muslim cleric was attacked in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram', former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said it is sad to see Lord Ram’s name being used to install fear among the people as he has always been revered and loved because of his values and principles.

Ms Mehbooba, the president of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that ‘Jai Shree Ram’ is being used as a signature slogan to instill fear among the people.

Meanwhile, reacting to warning of noted industrialist Adi Godrej that rising intolerance, hate crimes and moral policing can "seriously damage" economic growth of the nation, Ms Mehbooba said it is good to see Adi Godrej speak up at a time when most corporate leaders have lost their voice.

'Jai Shree Ram is being used as a signature slogan to instil fear amongst people. As a deity, he has always been revered & loved across the spectrum because of his values & principles. Sad to see fanatics carry out violence in his name,' Ms Mehbooba wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.

A Muslim cleric, identified as Imlakur Rehman Ali, was allegedly assaulted on Saturday evening in Baghpat area in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar and forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram'.

'Good to see Adi Godrej speak up at a time when most corporate leaders have lost their voice. Mind numbingly stupid to expect India to become a $5 trillion economy when there’s such rampant intolerance & polarisation. Fascism will never do a country any good,' she tweeted.