President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition L K Advani and a host of other political leaders condemned the blasts at Delhi's historic Jama Masjid complex and in Srinagar on Friday and appealed to people to maintain communal harmony.
The Shahi Imam of the Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari termed the blasts as a desperate attempt by divisive forces to disturb communal harmony.
President Kalam said he was deeply pained that such inhuman acts have been carried out even on a day that is so important and holy for the whole people of India. He urged the people to maintain calm.
While Dr Singh and Sonia appealed to people to maintain calm and peace, and expressed shock over the explosions, including the bomb blasts in Srinagar, Advani said the twin blasts were aimed at hurting the morale of the country and demanded a probe into them.
Advani said through the explosions elements behind such incidents were aiming at 'disproving' the claims that they have been contained.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil called upon people to defeat the designs of those trying to disrupt the secular fabric of the country.
Speaking to media persons at his residence, he appreciated the stand taken by the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid and expressed deep satisfaction that there had been no structural damage to the Jama Masjid.
He assured full medical assistance for those who have been injured in the blasts.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India, Forward Bloc and Janata Dal - Secular were among several parties and organisations, which condemned the incident.
Sonia visited the LNJP hospital to meet the injured persons. She was accompanied by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Ashok Gehelot, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi V K Joshi, Commissioner of Police K K Paul and others.
With PTI inputs
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