New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Tuesday, September 29, detained several community leaders, MPs, activists, and students protesting at the Jantar Mantar against the alleged targeted bulldozer action on mosques in different parts of the country.
Reports said thousands had gathered for the demonstration organised by Muslim groups and community organisations, calling for the protection of places of worship.
The protestors demanded that laws relating to places of worship be upheld and that religious sites be protected from alleged unlawful actions, according to Clarionindia.
Among those taken into custody are Samajwadi Party Lok Sabha MPs Iqra Hasan, Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, and Mohibbullah Nadvi, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice-President Malik Mohtasim Khan, and Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) National President Abdul Hafeez.
“If the basic rights given to us under the Constitution are violated or taken away due to the use of power, then we should raise our voice, register our protest, and tell people about our problems and our plight, so that courts take suo motu notice of it and the correct situation comes before the people of the country in this regard. Look, no permission is required to protest against those who act unconstitutionally, Samajwadi MP Mohibbullah Nadvi told the media as he was whisked by the police.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind vice president Malik Motasim Khan reasoned that it is the duty of the government to protect places of worship, be it any religion. “Whether it is a temple, mosque, church or gurdwara across the country, these are an important part of our country. It is the government’s responsibility to protect them, and the government, through the municipal corporation and with the help of the DDA, is itself demolishing mosques,” he said.
‘Demand immediate release’
Demanding an immediate release of community leaders and MPs, the SIO of India put up a post on X, saying, “SIO National President Abdul Hafeez and National General Secretary Adv Anees Rahman along with MPs and other leaders, has been detained by the Delhi Police amid the protest at Jantar Mantar against attacks on mosques and Waqf properties.”
Reports say members of Muslim organisations and community leaders came from different regions to participate in the protest.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, which participated in the programme, said the protection of places of worship and respect for the religious rights of all citizens were essential in a democratic society.
Taking to X, it confirmed the detention: “Delhi Police has detained several community leaders and protesters including JIH Vice President Malik Motasim Khan, Lok Sabha MP Iqra Hasan, Muhibullah Nadwi, Zia ur Rehman Barq, SIO President Abdul Hafeez. We demand an immediate release of all the detainees.”
The demonstration came in the wake of a call for a nationwide protest.
The organisers said they would continue advocating for the protection of mosques and other places of worship through peaceful and constitutional means.
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