Syed Zishan Haider

Deoband (UP), Nov 3 (PTI) Terming demolition of Babri Masjid as an act of religious fanaticism and extreme prejudice, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said communalism in all its forms was deplorable and asserted that it was the duty of the majority community to protect the minorities.

He also said that adopting the path of violence in the name of religion must be deplored.

In an address to the 30th general session of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind at Islamic seminary Deoband here, Chidambaram hailed the 'fatwa' issued by it against terrorism last year and said it was not only Muslims but also for all right thinking people to follow it.

"While all manifestations of communalism are deplorable, the worst kind of communalism is unleashing communal violence," he said.