By Pervez Bari

BHOPAL: Haji Shahzad Ali, the prime accused in the attack on the police station in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, who is reportedly gone underground to avoid arrest, has come forward with his side of the story for the first time after the incident. Following the attack the police in collaboration with the district administration of Chhatarpur bulldozed his palatial bungalow on August 21 with utter disregard to the rule of law of natural justice.

Haji Shahzad has said in a video that he is innocent and that there is a conspiracy behind this. After his house, which was allegedly built on illegal land as claimed by the police, was razed to the ground, he has appealed to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav to get the case investigated impartially. He has said that he had gone with the people to submit a memorandum because of the insult of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by a Hindu priest Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj. He has charged that “anti-social elements” were behind the attack on the police station. He moaned: “My truth has not been told to the Chief Minister and the police, rather they have been misled”.

While explaining the reason for reaching the police station with the crowd Shahzad Ali, said: “The Mahant had insulted Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). In protest against this, Anjuman Sadar, Anjuman Sadar Committee, Ulema Committee and the public had gone to submit a memorandum demanding that an FIR be filed against him”. He has released a video of about 3 minutes on social media.

The FIR was sought to be filed against Ramgiri Maharaj for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Islam during an event in Nashik, Maharashtra, last week.

In this video, Haji Shahzad Ali repeatedly called himself innocent and a person who helped the police. He said in the video that he was present in the police station when this incident happened. Suddenly stone pelting started and he tried to stop the people throwing stones. But in the meantime the policemen retaliated and also started pelting stones and the situation worsened. After this, stone pelting from both sides increased and finally the situation became from bad to worse.

He further said in the video that when people of the Muslim community were present in the police station, there were some anti-social elements in the crowd who took advantage of the situation and started pelting stones. He said that on the instructions of some senior police officers, he also tried to stop the crowd but the crowd was very angry and he himself also got hurt.

He said that he has built a “Khanqah” (Monastery) at a short distance from the place where he lives, wherein he resolves small disputes in his community. He said that many times people from other communities also come to him asking for help. He said that someone gave wrong information about him to the district administration and police to tarnish his image

Cong MLA Arif Masood questions party leaderships’ studied silence

Meanwhile, angry over the bulldozer action in Chhatarpur town, the Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Arif Masood has raised questions on his own party leaderships’ studied silence over the issue.

Masood has asked Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Jitu Patwari and the Congress Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar the reason for their deafening silence in this matter. Why they are not coming forward in the Chhatarpur case and seem to be totally aloof of the issue? Masood did not hesitate to say that Congress is in the doldrums in the state due to such policies of the party. He said that when action is being taken against a person of the society, then why is the Congress silent?

Masood has also questioned the administration’s action in Chhatarpur. He has written a letter to Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav demanding action against the officers who broke the house and vehicles without giving proper notice. Only two hours time was given to remove the household goods.

Opposed to bulldozing

Meanwhile, the organisations which advocate for the causes of the minorities were opposed to bulldozing such a big house. On the other hand, there is enthusiasm among the Hindu organisations. The RSS has reportedly expressed happiness at it. Madhya While Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said: “Whosoever breaks the law will face the music, and the government is ready to deal a severe blow to the anti-social elements.”

Founder of Bhim Army and MP Chandrashekhar Azad said it seems the government itself had turned into a judiciary. He appealed to the Supreme Court to take note of bulldozing a house and stop such action. Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi has also spoken against the government’s decision to bulldoze the house.

In this case, former law minister PC Sharma has also opposed this action. He said that people who go against the law should be punished. But demolishing someone’s house is constitutionally wrong.

Muslim Vikas Parishad condemns

Meanwhile, Adv. Mohammad Mahir, president of Muslim Vikas Parishad (Muslim Development Council), has strongly opposed the indecency and disgrace done by Mahant Ramgiri Maharaj. He said that law and order has been restored in the country, exemplary punishment should be demanded for this act of Ramgiri. But the Muslim community should put its demand for it in a peaceful manner. Any kind of procession, demonstration or violence is not the solution to this matter. “We should have faith in the law, it will take appropriate action.