Minister Announces Reward For Beheading Prophet Cartoonists Lucknow | February 18, 2006 1:15:13 AM IST
Amidst protests in Uttar Pradesh against the caricatures of Prophet Mohammed, a state minister Friday announced a reward of Rs.510 million ($11.5 million) for anyone who beheaded the artists responsible for the cartoons.
"Muslim women of Uttar Pradesh will give away jewellery equivalent to the weight of the assassin while I will collect Rs.51 crore and give it to the man who beheads the insolent cartoonist," Minorities Welfare Minister Haji Yaqoob said at a meeting in Meerut, 400 km from here.
He was addressing a large gathering of Muslims at a college in Meerut.
With most Muslim establishments in the city closed as a mark of solidarity with protestors, a large crowd had gathered to listen to Yaqoob's fiery speech.
As if to make it clear that he meant no offence to any religion, Yaqoob clarified: "Our protest is against none other than the United States of America, which is solely responsible for masterminding a war against the Muslim world."
He demanded the Indian government should recall its ambassador and sever all diplomatic ties with the US.sp/rhl/zmn (IANS)