PATNA: Union minister Giriraj Singh’s accusation against Congress president Rahul Gandhi that he was out to divide the country by supporting formation of Sharia courts, has elicited sharp reactions not only from the Congress and RJD but also the JD (U), which runs the alliance government with Giriraj’s BJP in Bihar The Union minister has sought an apology from Rahul, saying a conspiracy had begun to divide India after Rahul held a meeting with Muslim intellectuals. “He (Rahul) is influencing Muslim intellectuals to destroy the nation... and the Constitution,” Giriraj told reporters on Monday morning.He said the country would never allow any bid to make a different law for Muslims. “It will be one country, one law; not one country, two laws,” Giriraj said.Earlier on Sunday, Giriraj said Rahul talked about Ambedkar and Gandhi none of whom ever spoke about separate Sharia courts.Giriraj’s statement came even as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Sunday denied any move to set up Sharia courts in all districts across the country to resolve the community-related issues as per the Islamic law instead of approaching courts.“There is freedom of religion and food in the country. Those who are setting political agenda on religious lines are committing political suicide. Our alliance with the BJP is for good governance... We will not tolerate divisive politics,” JD (U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said on Monday.Earlier, the JD (U) had objected to Giriraj’s visit to the Nawada jail on July 7 to meet Bajrang Dal activists. One of them was arrested in connection with the communal flare-up during Ramnavami celebrations. Giriraj, who represents Nawada in the Lok Sabha, had then said the state government was suppressing Hindus.In response, CM Nitish Kumar said on July 9 that Giriraj’s meeting with the jailed Bajrang Dal activists was “not acceptable”. “My government will not tolerate any attempt to disturb communal harmony in the state,” he said.Meanwhile, state Congress’s officiating president Kaukab Quadri said on Monday people were waiting for the election to give a befitting reply to the likes of Giriraj who are “dividing the country”.RJD’s Maner MLA Bhai Virendra accused the BJP of deliberately grooming people expert in using provocative language. “If the BJP does not act against such netas, people of this country will launch a ‘surgical strike’ against them,” he said.

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