Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Maulana Qamar Ghani Usmani, the chief of Tahreek Farogh-e-Islam, has written to President Droupadi Murmu from Sabarmati Jail, expressing his deep concern over the derogatory remarks made by Yati Narsinghanand, a controversial notorious priest, against Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon Him. Usmani has proclaimed to go on a hunger strike in protest against these blasphemous remarks.
Usmani was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) in January 2022. The arrest was made in connection with the murder of 30 – year old, Kishan Bharwad. ATS alleged that Bharwad was killed for his anti-Muslim remarks on social media as Delhi-based Usmani had issued some statement that may have allegedly instigated the murder.
In his letter to the President on Wednesday, Usmani said that he got a minor heart attack upon learning about the hate speeches and blasphemous remarks made by Narsinghanand about the Prophet Mohammad and Allah.
“Unless they are not put behind bars and booked under the UAPA and NSA, I will continue my hunger strike. I will not take even any medical treatment during my strike,” he wrote.
Usmani also demanded legal action against Hindutva leader Pinki Chaudhry, T Raja and Nupur Sharm calling them “terrorists” who made blasphemous remarks against the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh).
The remarks made by T Raja and Nupur Sharma had created massive controversy sparking protests across the country.
“On one side, the Prime Minister is receiving awards from the Islamic countries while on the other hand, Indian Muslims are being persecuted. These terrorists are facing dozens of FIRs. Besides, the High Court has also issued strict directions in this regard. Yet, these people are not arrested,” Ghani said.
According to Usman, if these persons are arrested for their remarks, they are released soon as the police invoke minor charges against them. On the other hand, those who raise voice against them are implicated in false cases or their houses are bulldozed.
He stated that people from his organization including him and others, are named in the false cases for demanding legal action and raising our voice against people like Narsinghanand, Pinki Chaudhry.
Usmani has also written about the discriminations and injustices he has been facing in jail for the last three years. “The jail administration under the pressure of the ATS is committing injustices. I have its details to the trial court on 5-10-2024, 13-12-2024 and 27-12-2024,” he said.
Usmani stated that he has developed issues in both his legs and is unable to walk. While he was taken to the civil hospital several times but was not given the proper treatment there.
Moreover, he said that his medical report is forged, due to which he is not able to get parole for the treatment.
“For the last 116 days, I was kept in a solitary confinement. On 20 January, I was brought out after I got minor heart attack. I did not get even a chair to offer Namaz. Then, I offered the Namaz on a broken toilet chair,” he wrote.