Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and Raza Library write to Amit Shah, Shinde and Maharashtra DGP
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, a premier Muslim organisation of the country, and Raza Academy, the Mumbai-based group which fights for the rights of the Muslim community, have sought strong action against Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj for making blasphemous and inflammatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Islam.
In a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Mahmood Madani demanded immediate action against the priest.
Similarly, Raza Academy shot a letter to the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla.
The letters condemned in the strongest terms the objectionable and provocative statements made by Ramgiri Maharaj of Ahmednagar. Maulana Madani stated that such statements deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims, as no Muslim can accept even the slightest insult to their Prophet (pbuh).
“It is alarming that the so-called Maharaj remains defiant in his blasphemous behaviour, which indicates a deliberate attempt to challenge the integrity and sovereignty of the country,” he said.
Maulana Madani called for the perpetrator to be brought to justice. He further emphasised that it was the responsibility of the government and law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents and take effective measures to maintain peace and order in the country.
His letter stressed that failure to take swift and stringent action in this matter could lead to an augmentation in communal tension, which would be detrimental to the nation’s interests.
M Saeed Noori, general secretary of Raza Academy, put out three demands before the DGP; the removal of Maharaj’s video from social media, legal action against the posting of the video and immediate arrest of Maharaj under stringent law.
“Your good self must be aware of the current situation in Maharashtra due to the unwarranted statements of a person named Ramgiri which has insulted the honour of our holy Prophet (pbuh). The situation is getting worse by the hour as the anger is spreading like fire in the entire state. We hereby call upon you to kindly fulfill the following demands on behalf of the community with immediate effect to douse the fire from spreading further,” reads his statement.
As the video of Maharaj’s controversial remarks went viral on social media, Muslims protested in several districts of the state. Two cases were filed against the priest. However, Chief Minister Shinde vowed to protect Maharaj and even shared the stage with him at an event in Nashik when protests were being held against him.
“The Varkari sect works for social awakening in society and Ramgiri Maharaj is carrying their work forward,” said Shinde.
He assured that the saints in the state would be protected.
“Maharashtra has got a great tradition of saints. The state government is being run due to the blessings of the saints. Therefore, no one will dare to touch even the hair of the saints in this Maharashtra,” he was quoted by the Deccan Chronicle as saying.
