Vastanvi wants to stay away from politics

Refusing to comment on the wrath he faced for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Darul Uloom Vice Chancellor Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi said he wants to stay away from politics.

"I do not want to go into politics, be it Uttar Pradesh politics or Gujarat politics. If you want to ask me about education or Uloom I would be glad to reply," he said when asked if he had become target of Muslim politics. Vastanvi, who earned a reprieve as the seminary's powerful Majlis-e-Shura (governing council) did not accept his resignation, received an overwhelming welcome at the Ahmedabad airport, where he landed en route to his native place in Surat.

Hundreds of supporters came to have a glimpse of the scholar, who accidentally hurt his toe when the well-wishers rushed to greet him at the airport. Vastanvi said he would accept whatever the decision of the three-member committee appointed by the Majlis-e-Shura

The 60-year-old scholar, who has an MBA degree, was elected vice-chancellor of the seminary on January 10. The moderate Maulana, who has a Facebook page in his name, had triggered a controversy soon after his appointment with his remarks praising Modi's rule and his developmentpolicy. He had reportedly said that Muslims should forget the communal riots of 2002 and move on and that the community did not face discrimination in Gujarat.

Asserting that not only Darul Uloom, but every one should be brought into the mainstream, Vastanvi said as the vice-chancellor of the seminary he would try to introduce more courses in English and technical eduction so that better students come out of the institute and usher the developmentof society. Even after the controversies, he said, he was keen to work with the Darul Uloom.