Shazia Ilmi: Was not allowed to speak at Jamia because I'm from BJP

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi on Wednesday claimed that she was not allowed to speak at a seminar on "triple talaq" at the Jamia Millia Islamia University because she belongs to the BJP.   

"I was invited to speak and was one of the participants in a panel discussion and it was to be on triple talaq. It is a very important issue on that we had to debate, but there was a lot of pressure on the organisers. They felt if Shazia will speak then it would lead to some kind of disturbance in the campus," Ilmi told ANI.

Highlighting the hypocrisy in the political narrative and discrimination, Ilmi said that she was barred from speaking at the university because of her being a part of the BJP. 

"I have never ever caused any disturbance. I have always spoken against violence and led a very successful Anna Hazare campaign. How can they blame me as I have no track records of violence? Just because I am in BJP and there is open discrimination, I was not allowed to speak," Ilmi further said.

"Because we are part of a party, because we call the bluff of Communist and call Congress corrupt, we have to face this harassment," she added.

As per reports, protests erupted in Jamia University after the organisers rescheduled the event and also changed the list of speakers removing Ilmi.

Ilmi was scheduled to attend a seminar at the college organised to discuss the controversial issue of "triple talaq" on February 16.

The incident came to light at a time when assault on freedom of speech is coming under spotlight in the national capital where two incidents - Delhi University's Ramjas College row and Gurmehar Kaur controversy, triggered a stir.

(WION with inputs from ANI)