srinagar:-in the backdrop of an already hot debate on the Kasganj violence, the deputy grand mufti of Jammu and Kashmir dropped a bombshell today.

Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam, made a controversial remark stating Muslims of the country were living a ‘pathetic’ life and they should ask for a separate country.

“Muslims are being harassed under various pretexts. In the name of love jihad, cow vigilantism and in Hindu-Muslim riots. They are being targeted,” said Islam, while addressing a press conference in Srinagar.

The deputy mufti tried to point out that Muslims were the second largest community in the country and yet they were being deliberately harassed.

“In India, Muslims are the second largest community. Pakistan was formed with a population of 17 crore. If it continues like this then they (Indian Muslims) should demand a separate country within India,” he said.

The deputy grand mufti also pointed towards the condition of Muslims in India.

“Muslims are living in a pathetic condition. What happened to the Sacchar Committee report”, asked Islam.

While elaborating his stand he further said, “One person’s sleep is disturbed for a few minutes due to azaan and the entire country talks about it. In Alwar, a 55-year-old Muslim was killed by cow vigilantes, no one speaks of it. India is being taken towards destruction”.

Mufti Nasir ul Islam, who is also the Vice-chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Personal Board, shot to face over his controversial fatwa against four Christians for allegedly converting people in 2012.

In the same year, he was nominated by his father and Grand Mufti, Bashir-Ud-Din, as his successor for the coveted post in the Supreme Court of Islamic Shariat, while other Ulema endorsed the decision.

Islam is a post graduate in Arabic and also holds a degree in law. He remained the legal consultant with the Ministry of Justice, Government of Abu Dhabi, till 2006 when he resigned to start his own legal consultancy in Middle East.

He was appointed as the Deputy Mufti Azam at the Supreme Court of Islamic Shariat (J&K) in the year 2000.