Fatwa against Bihar minister who chanted 'Jai Shri Ram'

A fatwa has been issued against newly appointed Bihar minister, Khurshid after he chanted, 'Jai Shri Ram.' A Muslim cleric who issued the fatwa said that the minister's marriage would be terminated for his mistake.

Khurshid shouted the slogan outside the Bihar assembly on Friday after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the trust vote.

The fatwa, or a decree, against the only Muslim minister in Kumar's new cabinet was issued by Mufti Sohail Quasmi of Imarat Shariah, which describes itself as a socio-religious organisation active in Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.

The minister however said that he would not be



cowed down by such threats, he said.

The minister later apologised for his statement, while talking to a TV channel.

'The CM told me if anybody felt hurt by my statement, I should apologise. My intention was not to hurt anyone. I have come to serve the people. My statement was distorted,' he told the channel after coming out of a review meeting of the minority welfare department with chief minister Nitish Kumar.

Upset over the slogan hailing Hindu god Ram, Quasmi said Ahmad's marriage would be terminated and he would have to perform the nikah again after accepting his 'mistake'.