Residents of Dumariya village in East Champaran have expressed solidarity with expelled BJP leader Sabir Ali.

The village of around 15,000 comprising Hindus and Muslims is shocked owing to charges against Sabir by party spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi barely a day after he joined the party.

Sabir’s father Mazahar Hussain (90) has asked his son to continue his crusade until the party leadership provides him justice.

The village is inhabited by both Hindus and Muslims. Mazahar had also threatened to go on a hunger strike but he has been restrained to do so by Sabir, said a resident of the locality.

Mazhar, who has become restless of late, starts weeping whenever he is asked about his son said: “Sabir is a true son of India. Is ghatna se hum gehre sadme mein hain lekin pura yakeen hai ki Allah zaroor insaaf karega (we are in deep shock over the incident but we are fully confident that Allah will do justice).”

He added: “Such a nasty allegation by Naqvi for his vested political interests is an offence like treason. My son joined the BJP with a view to promote communal harmony in both communities under leadership of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and the party's banner.”

Sabir’s next-door neighbour Ramdeo Mahto (60), said: “His father was a farmer and Sabir had always been a religious and tolerant man from the beginning. Even after becoming affluent, he never stopped visiting people in the village on special occasions and always assisted them financially. He always promoted harmony in the society.”

When contacted, Sabir told The Telegraph over phone on Wednesday: “I have full faith in the higher leadership of the party, which would definitely do justice in the matter in order to strengthen the faith of the Muslim community in the party.” I am a grassroots leader but some people have tried to malign my image based on false allegations.”

Ehtesham Ahmad, the husband of mukhiya Zeba Akhtar said: “We are proud of this son of the soil who became a hero on news channels during his fight for justice. For days together, he managed to sideline a person like Arvind Kejriwal from media attention.”

A resident of the village, Haji Abdul Rauf (70), who knows Sabir for many years, said: “He has always been a nationalist. He was always an intelligent man. On Independence Day or Republic Day celebrations in school, he used to quarrel with his friends over standing in front of the queue.”

Another resident of the area, Khurshid Alam, said: “It is of least concern to us whether Sabir stays with the JD(U) or the BJP. We regard him simply like a good man.”