Insaaf Times Desk
Opposition to the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan and his supporters in Uttar Pradesh has now gained momentum at the national level. On Monday, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Imarat-e-Shariah (Bihar–Odisha–Jharkhand) issued separate press statements condemning the UP government’s action and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.
Spokesperson of the Muslim Personal Law Board, Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, said, “Using the Kanpur incident as a pretext to arrest Maulana Tauqeer Raza and dozens of peaceful demonstrators is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Chanting the slogan ‘I Love Muhammad’ or putting up such banners is not a crime; it is part of religious faith and a constitutional right.” He described Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks as “threatening and arrogant,” adding, “The CM should act as the representative of the entire state, not as someone who incites the sentiments of one particular group.”
Meanwhile, Amir-e-Shariat of Imarat-e-Shariah, Maulana Ahmad Wali Faisal Rahmani, in a statement issued from Patna, said, “India is a secular democracy where every citizen has the right to religious freedom. For Muslims, love for Prophet Muhammad is an essential part of faith. Peaceful demonstrations in this regard cannot be deemed a crime. The UP government’s action is a direct attack on religious freedom.”
He added that the arrest of Maulana Tauqeer Raza and other innocent protesters is a blot on the country’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (composite culture). He appealed to the UP government to release all detainees respectfully and refrain from divisive politics of hate.
Both organizations made it clear that dissent and protest are fundamental rights in a democracy, and any attempt to suppress them will prove dangerous for the nation and society.
