Muslims protest ‘defamatory’ statement against Prophet

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 8

Thousands of agitated Muslims held a protest here today against an alleged defamatory statement made by Kamlesh Tiwari, working president of the Hindu Mahasabha of Uttar Pradesh, against Prophet Mohammad.

Nearly 5,000 Muslims marched from Reetha Mandi to the old jail premises in protest against the alleged slanderous statement and demanded action against Kamlesh Tiwari. The agitated community members holding placards and banners shouted slogans and said defamation against prophet Mohammad would not be tolerated. They burnt an effigy of Kamlesh Tiwari and submitted a memorandum addressed to President of India to the district authorities seeking Pranab Mukherjee’s intervention in the case.

Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Qasmi, Shahar Qazi of Dehradun, who led the protest, said such provocative statements vitiated the already tense atmosphere in the country. Strict action should be taken against the elements who were trying to divide society on communal lines, he added.

He demanded that Parliament should enact a law to give death sentence for such blasphemous statements. The march by the Muslims led to a huge jam at the Saharanpur Chowk and the police had a tough time in managing traffic. A large number of Muslim clerics from the city participated in the protest. They also condemned Kamlesh Tiwari’s statement.