Masihuzzama Ansari
New Delhi–Police have arrested famous social activist Javed Mohammad and bulldozed his house after violence rocked Allahabad over BJP leaders’ derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Massive protests erupted in Allahabad after Friday prayers against blasphemous remarks. Later the administration put up a notice at the house of Javed Mohammad and asked the inmates to vacate.
In the notice, the administration said the house has been built illegally on the disputed land. Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) served a notice to Javed Ahmed asking him to vacate the house by 11 am on Sunday.
Javed Ahmed is a famous social worker, lawyer, and leader of the Welfare Party of India. His daughter Afreen Fatima is a student leader at JNU. People have taken to Twitter to show solidarity with Afreen Fatima.
A heavy police contingent was deployed to ensure there was no law and order problem during the demolition of his house.
Javed’s wife and daughter were also detained by the police. Later, they were released, reports said.
Javed was called by the Prayagraj police for questioning. Later, he was formally arrested. Uttar Pradesh police described Ahmed as the ‘mastermind’ of Friday’s violence.
A group of advocates in Allahabad has said that there were several factual inaccuracies in the notice served to Javed Mohammad.
“Allahabad police pasted a demolition notice at Javed Mohammad’s gate at around 11 pm on Saturday. The house is not in Javid’s name. His wife is the legal owner of the house,” lawyers said.
“In the notice, the date mentioned on the notice is May 10. May 24 has been mentioned as the hearing date and the order has been passed on May 25. It does not contain any details. There is no mention of circular number or order number. Family is completely unaware of any such proceedings.”
Advocates said the notice has not even been issued to the actual owner. “Its authenticity is also questionable. Further, the notice was issued on 10th June and pasted on June 11 late evening,” they said.
Advocates said it is clear that the notice was issued in haste and no opportunity was given to the family to take a legal course.
Meanwhile, UP Police have arrested more than 300 people. Of them, 91 people have been arrested in Allahabad. Around 5000 unknown people have also been booked.
Prayagraj Police said that the case has been registered under 29 serious sections.
Police said according to the information extracted from Javed’s mobile phone, he called for a Bharat Bandh.
AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed sympathy with Afreen Fatima.
Naved Hamid, president of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, condemned the incident.
Famous human rights activist Teesta Setalvad also expressed concern over the action against Afreen Fatima’s family.
Congress MP from Kishanganj, Bihar, Dr. Jawaid asked: “Is it that only Afreen’s house in Allahabad is illegally built?
Independent journalist Alishan Jafri has also tweeted in support of Afreen Fatima.
Stupidity and no better word,”see my might,”aditya nath.