NEW DELHI, June 12, India’s biggest mosque, shut for three weeks in protest at the killing of Moslems during Hindu Moslem riots last month, reopened today after its fiery high priest said
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s government had met most of his demands.
Syed Abdullah Bukhari, Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Mosque, told reporters the authorities had promised to suspend police officers accused of killing Moslems during the riots.
Police pickets have also been placed near the Mosque in response to his demand for guaran
tees of safety, he said.
Bukhari said on Wednesday he would not stop Moslem retaliation unless the government met his demands.
Bukhari shut the gates of the 400yearold Mosque on May 28 to protest against the authorities’ handling of the riots in Meerut and Delhi which left more than 120 dead.
The Moghul Mosque opened today for regular Friday prayers at midday, but black protest flags still fluttered from its walls and Bukhari said he would not be totally satisfied until 100 Moslems arrested during the riots were freed.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1987
