He was arrested and his house demolished last June when several cities including Allahabad witnessed massive protests against the blasphemous remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nupur Sharma
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Activist Javed Mohammad, behind bars for one year in connection with protests in Uttar Pradesh’s Allahabad (Prayagraj) against derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), could not attend the funeral of his father who died on Friday.
Javed, also a leader of the Welfare Party of India (WPI), was arrested and his house demolished last June when several cities including Allahabad witnessed massive protests against the blasphemous remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nupur Sharma.
The action against Javed had caught international attention.
On Saturday, Afreen Fatima, a student leader and daughter of Javed, demanded the release of her father while pointing out that Javed has completed one year in jail.
Calling his imprisonment “one year of Abbu’s wrongful and unjust incarceration”, Fatima said “To be clear to all those who have tried to break him, he is beyond resilient to this day, and by extension, we all are! May Allah preserve him and hasten his release. Ameen”.
Clarion India tried to contact Fatima but a source close to her said she was avoiding interaction with the media. According to sources, her father could not be released because he was yet to get bail in two cases.
Javed has been named in several cases related to the Allahabad protests.
According to sources, Fatima was going to meet her father in jail in this hour of grief for the entire family.
Sharjeel Usmani, an activist and a friend of Fatima, also took to social media to inform about the death of Javed’s father.
“Javed Mohammad Sahib, the father of student leader Afreen Fatima, completes one year in prison under fabricated charges. Javed Sahib’s father passed away last night, he couldn’t attend the funeral. Praying for his release. #ReleaseJavedMohammad,” tweeted Usmani.
Fraternity Movement, a student group with which Fatima is associated, said a request to the district magistrate to let Javed perform the last rites of his father was rejected.
“Despite rampant fabricated stories and evidences filed by police and investigative agencies against him…., the judiciary is constantly denying the bail petitions, which is considered a basic right of a citizen. The invincible rampart of faith and a stalwart belief in justice that he and his family have established during this period of state inquisition should fill our hearts with courage and hope,” said the group.
On Sunday, there was also a Twitter campaign demanding the release of Javed.
Demanding his release, a social media user Nandita Narain tweeted “In the face of adversity, Javed Sahab’s faith and belief in justice remain unwavering. Let’s join hands to create a future where power is not abused, and all are treated with dignity”.
