Azad's brother joins BJP, supports Ram Mandir issue

New Delhi: Support has come from unexpected quarters for the BJP's core issues on construction of Ram Mandir and abrogation of Article 370.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's brother, Ghulam Ali Azad says the demand for Ram Mandir is justified and that the controversy over it is due to lack of awareness among Muslims.
Ali joined the BJP four days ago.
He said that as per Islam, Muslims cannot offer prayers at a disputed site and that the demand for Babri Majid was unjustified. He also said that Muslim ruler Babbar was a not a a spiritual leader, but an invader, who destoryed temples.
"Woh mandir tha, hai, rehaega (It was a temple, it is a temple and it will remain a temple)," he said.
"The mandir-majid controversy is only due to lack of knowledge of Muslim scholars, if we can call them scholars," the BJP leader added.
The mosque was constructed by first Mughal emperor Babur in Ayodhya in the 16th century. On December 6, 1992, it was destroyed by extremists who believe that Babbar destroyed an existing temple at the site, built to commemorate the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The demolition triggered widespread communal unrest in the entire country.