NEW DELHI: The Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Maulana Syed Abdullah Bukhari was on Tuesday prevented from going to Bombay. He was turned back by the police officials at the Palam Airport where he had gone to catch 10:35 am flight to Bombay.

They also served on him a copy of Monday’s order by the Bombay’s Commissioner of Police and Executive Magistrate, Mr. V.K. Saraf prohibiting the Imam from entering Greater Bombay for two months.

 

Imam Bukhari with his entourage reached the airport by 9 am. He was supposed to board the flight along with four others, including the president of the Muslim Youth Convention, Maulana Nawabuddin Nagshbandi according to a spokesperson of the Imam.

Later, Imam Bukhari issued a statement refusing to take cognizance of the order which projected an “absolutely false picture” of the recent violence in that city and the police firing.

Opposing the notice, the Imam warned the Bombay police to immediately cease the torturing of Muslims arresting them and searching their houses. He also demanded instant release of those held as also withdrawal of false cases against the innocent.

Demanding a payment of Rs 1 Lakh to the family of each victim of the violence, the Imam threatened that if these were not fulfilled he would feel compelled to go to Bombay anytime.

The Imam alleged that the Bombay police had opened fire on Muslims demonstrating peacefully in Bombay against the publication of British author Salman Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses, without any warning, lathi charge or teargas on them.

This, he said was vindicated by the statement of the Central Minister, Mr. C.K. Jaffer Sharief, accepting that the firing by the police had not followed the normal course.

Imam bukhari said the police had “shamelessly” tried to blame Bombay’s Muslims by saying that they attacked the police, and set vehicles and property on fire. This was not true, he said.

It was wrong to assume, the Imam said, that if he repeated in Bombay his statements made in the capital on Friday they would lead to violence. His intention was to restore peace and participate in the processions to be taken out for the victims in Bombay, he said.

Syed Abdullah Bukhari, however said he may go to Bombay anytime notwithstanding the ban ‘on his entry into the city.

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 17, 1989