"This is creating an issue unnecessarily": SP MP Zia Barq on Parliament Mosque meeting row

New Delhi [India], July 23 (ANI): Reacting to a controversy surrounding Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's apparent meeting inside a mosque on Parliament Street in New Delhi, party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq denied holding any meeting in a mosque and said that this was creating an issue unnecessarily.
Speaking to ANI, Zia Ur Rehman Barq said, "From where is the question of meeting arising. Where did it take place? Don't we have space in the Parliament or in the residences of MPs to hold meetings? Why will he have a meeting in a Mosque? This is creating an issue unnecessarily."
Earlier today, reacting to the controversy, Akhilesh Yadav said that faith unites people, while accusing the BJP of using religion as a "divisive" tool.
Speaking to the media, Yadav alleged that the BJP wants people to keep "divided."
"Faith connects. Any religion or faith that connects people is valuable, and we are with those that work to build trust and foster connections. BJP has a problem with this... BJP wants people to stay divided, not united. We have faith in all faiths... BJP's tool is religion..." Yadav said.
Targeting the Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called Yadav "Nawaazwadi" while accusing him and his party of not having faith in the constitution.
He stated that the Indian constitution doesn't permit the use of religious places for political purposes.
"Samajwadi Party chief and Samajwadi Party always violate the constitution. The Indian Constitution states that religious places cannot be used for political purposes. They do not have faith in the constitution. 'Woh hamesha Namaazwadi bane rehte hai' and that is what he is doing," Pathak told ANI.
Reacting to this, SP MP Rajeev Rai said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should instead address the viral videos of its leaders.
"Do we have to take a license from BJP to visit temples and mosques now? Should we make BJP's photos viral? They don't speak about the videos and photos of their leaders coming in from the streets," Rai told ANI.
As this happened, BJP Minority Morcha National President Jamal Siddiqui lashed out at the Samajwadi Party and its MP, Mohibullah Nadvi, for turning the mosque into their party's office. Nadvi serves as the Imam of the Parliament Street Mosque.
"You can see many SP MPs from the SP President. Rampur MP Mohibullah Nadvi is also present among them. Mohibullah Nadvi used to do the Imam's prayer in this mosque. But he is not ready to leave the mosque. Today it has crossed all limits! He made the mosque his party's office. We strongly condemn this," Siddiqui said in a statement. (ANI)