AGRA — The shahar mufti and his son were on Wednesday booked for raising objection over the flag hoisting ceremony organised on Jama Masjid premises in Agra on Independence Day.
Organiser of the event, Haji Aslam Qureshi, chairman of Local Islamia Agency, lodged the case at the Mantola police station of Agra.
“A complaint was lodged against Mazdul Kuddoos Khubaib Rumi, the shahar mufti and his son, Hammadul Kuddoos, by the chairman of Local Islamia Agency, Haji Aslam Qureshi. The case has been registered and investigation is on. Required action will follow,” stated Muniraj G, SSP, Agra.
The case was registered under Section 3 of Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and sections 153-B, 505, 505 (1)(b) and section 508 of the Indian Penal Code.
The complainant had been provided security by the police after he raised apprehension of threat to his life from the shahar mufti, who purportedly used strong words in an audio that went viral.
The SSP confirmed that the complainant, Haji Aslam Qureshi, in the FIR, expressed threat to his life from shahar mufti and thus a gunner had been provided to him.
The issue relates to Independence Day celebrations at Madarsa Aalia on the Jama Masjid premises, where Uttar Pradesh Minority Commission chairman and BJP leader, Ashfaq Saifi, hoisted the national flag as the chief guest of the event.
Shahar mufti Mazdul Kuddoos Khubaib Rumi objected to I-Day celebrations on the Jama Masjid premises and asked the ‘offenders to fear the Almighty’. In an audio that went viral, the shahar mufti purportedly used strong words against Independence Day celebrations on mosque premises.
On Tuesday, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha activists had protested at the SSP’s office, seeking an FIR against the shahar mufti for opposing hoisting of national flag and singing of national anthem on the mosque premises.
Meanwhile, Haji Jamiluddin Qureshi, vice-president of All India Jamait-ul-Quresh, condemned Haji Aslam Qureshi for lodging a complaint against the shahar mufti.
“We will meet the SSP on Thursday and apprise of correct facts, so that action can be taken against the complainant Haji Aslam Qureshi who has dragged religious head shahar mufti into a war of words and has harmed the sanctity of Jama Masjid by organising events,” said Qureshi, who clarified that they also respected the national flag and national anthem, but religious places should be avoided for such events. — (Agencies)