Muzaffarpur Police arrest Aabad Shah and make him apologise
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A Muslim youth had to pay dearly for supposedly commenting adversely on the highly controversial and communal remarks of Anuj Kumar Chowdhury, Circle Officer of Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal city.
The youth, Aabad Shah from Kamalpur village in the Shahpur Nagar panchayat of Muzaffarnagar, was arrested and made to apologise. A video of the youth apologising for his comments from the lockup has gone viral on Wednesday.
The Sambhal cop had made Islamophobic comments on the arrangements during the Hindu festival of Holi and advised Muslims to stay indoors on Friday to avoid Holi colours being splashed on them.
In his social media post, Aabad Shah demanded Chowdhury’s arrest.
“Bakr Eid comes once a year. Those who feel that seeing meat and blood will corrupt their religion should not step out of their homes. #ArrestAnujChaudhry,” reads his post.
Chowdhury had commented that Holi comes once a year while there are 52 Jumma (Fridays) in a year.
“The festival of colours comes only once a year, while the Friday (Jumma) prayers happen 52 times in a year. If someone finds Holi colours to be an issue while going for prayers, it is better for him to stay inside until the celebrations end,” the cop had said.
The statement received sharp criticism from opposition leaders, religious organisations, and social activists who slammed Chowdhury for showing bias and attempting to suppress religious freedom.
In his apology video, recorded from behind bars, Abad Shah said he was seeking forgiveness for his comments against Chowdhury.
In the 22-second video, he said such a mistake would not be repeated by him and that he respects the police department. The voice of an unknown persons is also heard in the background prompting Aabad Shah to say that not only will he refrain from making such comments but he would also make people understand the same.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also backed Chowdhury’s controversial remarks. While asking Muslims to offer the Jumma namaz at home, Adityanath claimed that Chowdhury had spoken the truth.
