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Flag-hoisting row: Protest in support of Agra Shahar Mufti
Police was deployed in sensitive areas of the city as a few markets were also closed in protest. A case was registered at Mantola police station against those leading the protest and other unidentified people who were part of the march, for violation of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code.
Agra Muslims marched in the city on Thursday to protest registration of a case against the Shahar Mufti and his son over the controversy related to hoisting of the national flag at Jama Masjid on Independence Day.
The Agra police registered a case against the protestors for violation of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code and Epidemic Act.
“There is discontent and anger among Muslims after a case was registered against the Shahar Mufti and his son for no valid reason. The Shahar Mufti had not opposed hoisting of the national flag on Independence Day and had merely suggested that such flag hoisting should not be at a ‘sacred space’ of the Masjid where ‘namaz’ is offered,” said Haji Jamiluddin Qureshi, who led the protest march.
“Shahar Mufti Mazdul Kuddoos Khubaib Rumi has been framed in a wrong and false case when in fact the fault is on the part of organisers of the event, including Haji Aslam Qureshi, chairman of Local Islamia Agency and Ashfaq Saifi, chairman of UP Minority Commission who was chief guest at the event organized at the madarsa within Jama Masjid on Independence Day,” alleged Haji Jamiluddin Qureshi, national vice president of All India Jamait-ul-Quresh.
“We have requested SSP Agra Muniraj G to get a case registered against Haji Aslam Qureshi and Ashfaq Saifi who have poisoned the peaceful atmosphere of the city,” added Haji Jamiluddin Qureshi.
Sources revealed that senior Muslim leaders in Agra had made efforts on Wednesday night to end the controversy by calling the opposite parties but Haji Aslam Qureshi on Thursday denied withdrawal of the case registered against Shahar Mufti.
“The Independence Day event was opposed and Tricolor was insulted merely because the chief guest and chairman of minority commission was from the BJP. I appeal to register a case of sedition against the Shahar Mufti,” said Haji Aslam Qureshi, adding that young boys were called to be part of the protest march in favour of the Shahar Mufti.
Police was deployed in sensitive areas of the city as a few markets were also closed in protest.
Meanwhile, a case was registered at Mantola police station against those leading the protest and other unidentified people who were part of the march, for violation of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code.
“A case was registered against those who staged the protest on Thursday for violation of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code and Epidemic Act,” said Vinod Kumar, the in charge of Mantola police station in Agra.
It may be recalled that Mazdul Kuddoos Khubaib Rumi, the Shahar Mufti and his son, Hammadul Kuddoos, were booked on Wednesday for objecting to the flag hoisting ceremony organised on Jama Masjid premises in Agra on Independence Day. Organiser of the event, Haji Aslam Qureshi, chairman of Local Islamia Agency, lodged the case at the Mantola police station of Agra.
The case was registered under Section 3 of Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and sections 153-B, 505, 505 (1)(b) and section 508 of the Indian Penal Code.
