Modi not black or white

Over the last few days, some Muslim religious leaders have made statements that seem to reflect a change in their stand on Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. Some of these statements were withdrawn in the face of heavy criticism. However, do they reflect a churning taking place in the community or are they individual voices? Is Modi's acceptability the same or increasing in the minority community? TOI reports what the leaders have said:

Syed Mahmood Madani, general secretary Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind: In the past 10 years, more than 48 communal clashes have occurred in Rajasthan while 102 have been reported in the past one-and-a-half years in Uttar Pradesh. The number of Muslim youths in the jails of Maharashtra and Rajasthan exceed those in Gujarat. I am not saying these things to show that I support Narendra Modi though people will say I support Modi if I compare Gujarat with Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, vice-president, All India Muslim Personal Law Board: Narendra Modi is not a political untouchable for the minority community. What (Mr Modi) did [in 2002] was wrong but if he is willing to change then we are also willing to change. My religion says that (if) any criminal expresses regret then we should overlook his mistakes. It's childish to demand an apology. He should show that he cares for Muslims, in his character and actions. I am not a spokesperson for all Muslims. But If I see that Modi has changed, then I will back him.

Maulana Yasoof Abbas, Shia cleric: Maulana Kalbe Sadiq is a very senior cleric and we respect him a lot. He is right when he talks about Modi's development agenda on the basis of his track record as Gujarat chief minister. But at the same time it's also correct that thousands of Muslims were killed in Gujarat during his chief ministership.

Maulana Wali Rahmani, Bihar Sunni leader: Muslims are not scared of Narendra Modi and neither do they expect an apology from him for the 2002 communal riots. The BJP needs to change its politics for the good of the country and not just for Muslims.