NEW DELHI: The alleged targeting of Muslims in Mumbai in the wake of the July 11 serial bomb blasts was raised in the Rajya Sabha by CPI(M) member Brinda Karat on Friday.

Describing it as a "very serious issue that has wider national ramifications," she said such "misadventure" on the part of the police was "most shocking and unfortunate."

Ms. Karat said nobody was against the identification, arrest and prosecution of those found guilty, but the "targeting" of a particular community on religious grounds defied the secular character of the country.

"Unacceptable"

"It is a sad day for India's secular values when the Mumbai police flags and targets all Muslims who have travelled abroad for the sole reason that they are Muslims. The vice-president of a multi-national company and a well-known dance choreographer were forced to suffer the humiliation and indignity of having their homes visited by the police, being asked to appear at the police station, and having their relatives and staff interrogated. There is a feeling of fear among the community because of [the] indiscriminate picking up of Muslims in the city. It is as though the onus of proving themselves innocent has been shifted to a whole community. This is unacceptable and my party strongly protests against it," Ms. Karat said.

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