Some influential persons put pressure on the police to register a case against two minors and an adult from the Muslim community. The police administration and the Ujjain Municipal Corporation (UMC) officials demolished their houses, considering them guilty even without a proper investigation.
Pervez Bari | Clarion India
BHOPAL – Instant “bulldozer justice” was once again at play in Madhya Pradesh when the district administration of Ujjain town, about 200 kms from the state capital Bhopal, razed the houses of three Muslims accused of spitting on a Hindu religious procession on July 17.
A team of officials reached the spot with bulldozers, accompanied by drums to celebrate the action. Before the demolition process began, a large number of police force was deployed in the area.
The Ujjain Municipal Corporation (UMC) claims that the houses were constructed illegally.
It is alleged that during the Mahakaleshwar procession on Monday, the three Muslim youths spitted on devotees from the roof of a house near Chhatri Chowk tank. Some individuals in the procession made videos of the incident and later handed them to the police.
However, Ujjain Shahar Qazi Khaliq-ur-Rahman has maintained that some mischievous elements from outside the city were behind the spread of the fake video. Ujjain city, he asserted, is known for its “Ganga-Jamuna” culture and brotherhood.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Shahar Qazi said some influential persons put pressure on the police to register a case against two minors and an adult from the Muslim community. The police administration and UMC officials demolished their houses, considering them guilty even without a proper investigation.
He demanded that the administration re-investigate the case. “If persons whose houses were demolished are found to be innocent, their houses should be re-built,” he said.
Qazi Khaliq-ur-Rahman decried the demolition of the houses calling the action illegal and against all norms of decency and fair play.
All those involved should be impartially investigated, he said and called for the registration of cases against them. He also demanded adequate compensation for the affected persons.
Questioning the role of the administration and police officials, the Shahar Qazi said it was strange that houses of Muslims were demolished for being “dilapidated” but several other similar houses on Mahakal Savari Marg were spared. “They should have also been demolished, but the officials took unilateral action and razed the houses of members of a particular community,” he said.
During the press conference, Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim, Maulana Mohammad Aziz, Maulana Mohammad Huzaifa, Abid Mohammad Ayub, and other leaders were present.
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Cover photo: Ujjain Shahar Qazi Khaliq-ur-Rahman addressing a press conference on Thursday.
