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Red beacon row: Muslim student files complaint against Imam Barkati

by IBNS 13 May 2017, 10:49 am

Kolkata, May 13 (IBNS): A fresh complaint has been lodged against Kolkata's Tipu Sultan Mosque's Shahi Imam Maulana Nurur Rehman Barkati for allegedly provoking communal sentiments through his recent statements and using red beacon on his car when Indian government's ban on red beacon atop vehicles has already come into effect since May 1, reports said.

According to reports, Syed Uj Jaman, a Muslim law student from Dankuni in Kolkata's neighbouring Hooghly district of West Bengal, registered a complaint against Imam Barkati at a local police station on Friday.

The young student claimed that recently during few events and press conferences, Barkati made a series of controversial comments, which could trigger communal tension in the state.

"If they (BJP & RSS) are trying to make India a Hindu country, then why would not India be a Muslim country when there are more than 30 crore Muslims in India," Barikati recently said. 

"If RSS has plans to make India a Hindu country, we will protest and fight against it. Then give us Pakistan, we will fight for Pakistan," Barkati further said, going a step ahead, according to local media reports.  

Meanwhile, according to the law student, usage of red beacon on Barkati's SUV, despite of the ban, is illegal and he mentioned it in his complaint.

Syed Uj Jaman, however, requested the officer-in-charge of Dankuni Police Station to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action against the accused.

Earlier on Friday morning, a man from Kolkata, Suraj Kumar Singh, lodged a complaint against Imam Barkati at Topsia Police Station after the religious leader allegedly refused to give up red beacon from his vehicle, according to reports.

Local media reports said that Imam Barkati is still using 'lal batti' (red beacon) on his SUV when the Central government has put a ban on it since May 1.

Days ago when Barkati was asked about this, he told local reporters that he won't remove red beacon as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given him permission to use it as he is a religious leader.

"West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee gave me permission to use red beacon on my car and it's a heritage practice as erstwhile British government gave permission to my ancestors to use lal batti," Barkati said.

"I won't accept Central government's ban on lal batti," he added.

Meanwhile, demanding Barkati's arrest, BJP's youth wing on Friday staged demonstration in central Kolkata's M.G. Road area and the party has called for a rally to city police headquarters at Lalbazar on May 25 on the same issue.

Barkati on Friday called a press conference again and claimed that nobody has guts to arrest him.

"I would only remove red beacon from my car when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give up his all securities," Barkati said.

Barkati also blamed the media for showing up his red beacon issue.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)