Patna, April 19 : Bihar's new excise minister, a Muslim, is under pressure to give up his portfolio following demands from religious bodies who say that Islam and liquor trade - a vital part of his ministry - do not go hand in hand.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the Patna-based Imarat-e-Sharia and the Idar-e-Sharia have asked Jamshed Ashraf to resign from the ministry.

Ashraf, in his 40s, was among 19 new ministers inducted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar April 13.

Ashraf was given the registration and excise portfolio, considered important for generating revenue for the government from the liquor industry.

"He is under pressure not to join the ministry as liquor is haram (prohibited) in Islam," a source close to Ashraf told IANS Saturday.

In view of the pressure from Muslim bodies, Ashraf has virtually gone underground.

"He (Ashraf) is taking rest outside Patna and his cell phone (is) switched off," said an official attached to him. "He is likely to return here by Monday."

It was widely reported in Urdu dailies here that All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Imarat-e-Sharia have asked him not to hold the ministry.

The board has also questioned the decision of Nitish Kumar to allot him the portfolio knowing Islam prohibits dealing with liquor.

"Jamshed Ashraf should prove himself a good Muslim by not holding the ministry," said Imarat-e-Sharia spokesperson Anishur Rahman Qasmi.

Idar-e-Sharia said drinking, selling, manufacturing or dealing in wine were acts of evil. "Ashraf should relinquish his ministry immediately," said a member of the Sharia.

Jamshed Ashraf, a ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) legislator, is regarded close to the chief minister.

Nitish Kumar had appointed him as chairman of the state Haj committee. But he resigned before being inducted into the council of ministers April 13. He was elected to the state assembly for the first time in 2005.

I think this is the problem with muslims in India. They are "Muslims" first then they are Indian or Bihari. I think if your state or country asks for a service, you should forget whether you are a Muslim or Hindu or any other cast. Earlier it was said in Hinduism that if some one harms your God (like Cows) then you should not even touch that person. But for the sake of our country and unity in all the religions of our country we have accepted Muslims as well as Chamars (a Hindu cast who does the business of Cows skin). I am a Brahman, but if my country or my state would really need I can slaughter 100s of cows.. because I am an Indian/Bihari first.. then a Hindu or Brahman..

One more thing.. as few muslims are saying that he should take some other portfolio, because "liquor trade" is "Haram" in Islam. I would like to ask a simple question to them: If you can not take a portfolio because that is "Haram" in Islam then is it that helping somone in doing that is not "Haram"..!!! When you are in government, it means that you are helping someone in running "liquor trade".. And as far as I know, Islam never say that doing something is "Haram" and helping someone in doing so is "not Haram"..

Ravi Kant Shandilya

ravikantshandilya@yahoo.co.in

Yes, a Muslim must not earn a livelihood from a source which is Haram in Islam. He should not involve himself in any such activity. Mr. Ashraf, following the advice of the Islamic Organizations, should give up this portfolio immediately but not the Ministry. The Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar who may not be aware of level of seriousness of Haram in Islam should now give him a portfolio that is permissible in Islam.