Saiyed, a Congressman from Gujarat, also said fundamentalism was not the core of Indian Muslims. When asked specifically about the involvement of the IM, which has been named in as many as 10 terror attacks in the country, including bombings in Pune (2010), Varanasi (2010), Mumbai serial blasts (2011), Saiyed said: "There may be some organisations, speaking something nonsense... does not mean they are terrorists."

"Even during the course of UPA government, actions have been taken against such sectarian organisations. They have been put (behind) the bars, cases are registered," he said. The IM was declared a terror organisation by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2010. Saiyed, however, added that the UPA did act against "such sectarian organisations".