BENGALURU: Thousands of Muslims took out rallies from different parts of the city and converged at Idgah Maidan an Miller’s Road on Friday, demanding action against Kamlesh Tiwari, the Hindu Mahasabha chief in Uttar Pradesh, who has courted controversy over his remarks on Prophet Mohammed.
Hazrat Maulana Mufti Mohammed Ashraf Ali Baqavi, Ameer-e-Shariat, Karnataka (Spiritual Head of Muslims in Karnataka), said, “Today, over 10,000 Muslims have gathered in Bengaluru alone and everyone has one single demand — to stop passing of such derogatory comments against the Prophet. We also demand severe action against such troublemakers.”
Moulana Muzzamil from Umar Farooq mosque at Bismillah Nagar said, “Kamlesh Tiwari is not alone. He has supporters in the Union government and that is why he dares to make such statements. When Muslim sentiments are hurt by people like Tiwari, the Prime Minister remains silent. Instead of calling former PM Manmohan Singh ‘Moun Mohan Singh’, Modi should do a soul-searching now.”
Police on Alert
Anticipating untoward incidents, P Harishekharan, Additional Commissioner of Police (East), said police had taken precautions to make sure there would be no clashes. “Traffic was diverted on St John’s Road, Nandidurga Road and Miller’s Road, especially in the evening. The leaders had made an announcement of the unity meet at the Friday prayers. No untoward incidents were reported,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Sateesh Kumar said many shops owned by Muslims remained closed in the evening because of the meet.
Traffic was hit between 4 pm and 5.30 pm near Town Hall, Richmond Road, Nrupathunga Road and JC Road too. There was heavy traffic block near Coles Park and near Ulsoor Lake after 7 pm as a large number of Muslims gathered at mosques to show their solidarity with the protesters.