Muslim cleric and leader of the Jamiat Ulema Hind, Mufti Mohammad Ilyas Qasmi, had referred to Lord Shiva as the "first messenger of Islam" in Ayodhya on Thursday, asserting that Indian Muslims were followers of the Sanathan Dharma. Now, the Bareilly-based All India Faizan-e-Madina Council, a socio-political group, has announced a bounty of Rs 1,00,786 on his head. The 'national president' of the outfit, Mooen Siddiqui Noori, on Monday said the cash award would be given only to a Muslim. An "Islamic" sword would also be presented to the killer.

Qasmi, long known as a champion of communal amity in Ayodhya, has also said that Muslims should not be averse to being called Hindus, for the people of China were called Chinese, and the people of Japan, Japanese. "Qasmi made these strange remarks against the Sharia on insistence from the RSS. If he really had any knowledge, his comments would be backed by the holy scripture," Noori added. Faizan-e-Madina, say its members, aids families of poor girls in meeting marriage expenses. It also helps in the education of underprivileged children.

Noori said he would like to teach all people making such irresponsible statements a lesson. "For teaching such people a lesson so they never make such remarks again, I have decided that any Indian Muslim who gives me the head of Qasmi will be given a cash reward of Rs 1,00,786. He will also get an 'Islamic sword'." In Shariat-governed Saudi Arabia, criminals are punished with an Islamic sword, Noori explained.

"Sharia is not enforced in our country, but we can follow it to deal with traitors. I am aware that my announcement will land me in jail, but I'm not scared," Noori claimed. Qasmi had reportedly said in Ayodhya on Thursday that "every Indian is a Hindu" and "Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are part of the lakh and twenty four thousand prophets sent to earth with a mission to establish humanity, true religion and God's rule in the world." Nadeem Qureshi, president of the All India Jan Sewa Committee, a Bareilly-based organisation, had also recently taken a complaint to the police, saying Qasmi's comments were offensive and hurt religious sentiments. Asked if police would take preventive action against the Madina Council, SP Rajeev Malhotra said: "I am not yet fully aware of this. I will take appropriate action at the right time."