SP's Muslim appeasement can lead to animosity: Uma Bharti

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to desist from "Muslim appeasement policy", saying it could create animosity between the minority community and Hindus.

"There should not be a Muslim appeasement policy..it could not only create a sense of insecurity among the Hindus but could also lead to animosity between the two communities," Bharti said here, in reply to a question on the UP government's move to review terror cases.

Citing the recent detention of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan in the US, Bharti said a similar atmosphere of "animosity and mistrust" should not be created in India.

"Shah Rukh Khan is a film star and has little significance for me, but the incident has a great social significance," she said.

Bharti, who took oath as member of the UP Assembly today, cited schemes like providing Rs30,000 to Muslim girls to stress that there should not be any discrimination on the basis of religion.

The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister refused to delve into the reasons for her party's defeat in the recent assembly elections, saying they have already been discussed and her role would now be that of a "vigilant soldier of people".

"I am concerned about the safety and security of the people of the state," she said.

When asked to comment on the induction of tainted BSP leader Babu Singh Kushwaha into her party, she evaded reply.

Stressing that she would be taking up issues concerning the people of the state and her constituency Charkahari, she warned that though BJP had lesser members in the house, "it has more moral strength".