Team Clarion
CHHATARPUR – Muslims in this Madhya Pradesh’s district have decided not to celebrate Eid Miladun Nabi (observing the birthday of Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him) fearing a government crackdown on religious leaders of their community after last month’s clashes with the police.
On 21 August, clashes broke out between the police and members of the Muslim community when the latter were protesting against inflammatory remarks made by Hindu priest Ramgiri Maharaj. Following the clashes, the police arrested over two dozen people and booked 150 others. The authorities also demolished Muslim houses including the bungalow of Congress leader Haji Shahzad Ali. Since then, an atmosphere of fear has pervaded the community.
“Right now, all religious leaders have fled their homes. Some of the leaders were mercilessly beaten up and put behind bars. They are innocent. Taking these things into consideration, we have decided not to take out the procession of Eid Miladun Nabi,” announced a religious leader.
Muslims have decided not to celebrate any festival with fanfare unless innocent people are given justice. There is an atmosphere of fear. Hundreds of people have fled their homes. They have demanded that the names of all 150 booked people should be released. It will dispel fear and worries. They also demanded a CBI investigation into the incident of 21 August, he said.
Muslims have also expressed grave concerns that Maharaj, who made the inflammatory remarks, was not arrested even though dozens of FIRs were registered against him. “We all demand that he must be arrested,” said the religious leader.
Religious leaders have made a similar statement about not celebrating Eid Miladun Nabi at different mosques in Chhatarpur city.
As far as the police crackdown is concerned, 46 people were named in the FIR while 150 are unknown. Six Muslims were also externed by the administration. Nazim Chaudhry, Javed, Arman Rain, Murli, Rafat Khan and Yusuf are among those who were banished by the administration.
The police crackdown on the accused and the demolition of the houses in Chhatarpur have come under severe criticism. The police had also paraded all those arrested with their hands tied. They were also forced to raise slogans praising the police force.
Political leaders, activists and journalists have all slammed the police action targeting Muslims.
