Muslims should stop being secular and become communal in their own interest: AAP leader Shazia Ilmi

New Delhi: AAP member Shazia Ilmi kicked up a hornet's nest when she was caught asking members of Muslim community to be communal. During a conversation captured on an amateur camera, the AAP leader is heard saying,"Musalman bahut secular hai, usko communal hona padega." "It is a very controversial statement, but the people of the community will have to take care of their own interest", Ilmi clarified in the same video. The video, posted on YouTube, evoked stern reactions on various social media platforms. @PoonamVinodLal What an idea Madam Shazia :"Shazia Ilmi practices krantikari secularism, says Muslims should be communal" ‏@WeAreRanchi Oh god, now this Shazia Ilmi. Where is India heading, in hand of such illiterate politicians? ‏@EatPrayFap Really stupid from Shazia Ilmi. Massive foot-in-the-mouth moment. It doesn't matter what she meant. You have to be smarter than that. ‏@WhirlingDervesh @shaziailmi failed to put her point properly either her Urdu is weak or she did not phrase it right though I don't doubt her intentions

Aam Aadmi Party reacts AAP leader Manish Sisodia was the first to offer his reaction on the controversial statement made by Shazia Ilmi. @msisodia I've seen Shazia's clip. She should have not said it. AAP does not believe in communal politics. Our politics is to unite all Indians. The official Twitter handle of Aam Aadmi Party issued a clarification urging its members to be cautious in their choice of words. ‏@AamAadmiParty Regarding Shazia Ilmi's clip - AAP does not believe in this kind of politics nor does it endorse it...All our representatives should be careful in their choice of words so that there is no scope for misinterpretation.

Controversies and Shazia This is not the first instance Shazia Ilmi has courted controversy. In the run up to Delhi assembly election, Ilmi was captured on a hidden camera taking money in return of providing her help. In a sting operation, conducted by Media Sarkar, alleged that several leaders of AAP, who were contacted for their help in recovery of money from individuals and getting land deals done, readily agreed to extend their support in return of donations in cash to AAP. Besides Ilmi and senior party leader Kumar Vishwas, AAP candidates from Kondli (Manoj Kumar), Sangam Vihar (Dinesh Mohaniya), Okhla (Irfan Ullah Khan), Rohtas Nagar (Mukesh Hooda), Deoli (Prakash) and Palam (Bhawna Gaur) are seen in the video. It also accuses party convenor and Delhi CM candidate Arvind Kejriwal of selling one of the constituency seats for a staggering amount of Rs. 2 crore.

The controversial Road Show In a recorded video of road show organised by Shazia Ilmi in her constituency earlier this month, Channel V host Rajeev Laxman was seen abusing Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde while canvassing for Ilmi in an open jeep. Ilmi drew ire of Opposition parties as she was seen laughing and even encouraging Rajeev. Attacking Shinde, Laxman used the word "h*****". Shazia, who was standing right next to Laxman, laughed at the remarks. Kejriwal issued an unconditional public apology for Rajeev’s actions, denouncing the campaigning method altogether

Family dispute Her brother Rashid Ilmi, who is by chance also contesting polls from RK Puram assembly seat, has accused her sister of threatening her and thus demanded protection from the Returning Officer. In a press statement issued by Rashid on November 19, he has claimed his sister has a history of indulging in violence and abusive behaviour which can be vouched by their mother and now that he is contesting elections against her, he is expecting retribution from her. “Several times in the past, Ms. Shazia Ilmi has turned violent and even abused our mother. Now that I am contesting elections to expose her double standards in public life and getting good response from the people in my area, she is really angry at me. I believe that she could cause me bodily harm and thus I have written to Returning Officer so that he can recommend police protection for me,” the statement reads. Along with the letter, Mr Ilmi has also enclosed the copy of complaints dated 10.8.11 and 11.8.11 against Ms Shazia to the SHO of Chaman Ganj police station in Kanpur. Earlier in September this year, Rashid had ranted out against her sister for abusing their mother. Shazia had then termed the episode as a conspiracy of Congress. She had even claimed that it was owing to property dispute that her family was after her. "When political parties lose their character and strength of ideology, they resort to such cheap tricks. My brothers, Aijaz Ilmi of the Congress and Rashid Ilmi, have reached new depths to harass my other brother, Irshad Ilmi, and seek to malign my name as I have given shelter to his wife and children who were abused by them and my mother,” she had been quoted as saying. Shazia had then even threatened of filing a criminal case against her brother.