Within 24-hours of Election Commission’s whip against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan for his controversial remarks on Kargil war, Ghaziabad police registered a case against Khan on charge of promoting enmity on ground of religion and other offences.
A separate case has been also registered with Shamli by the local administration.Reports said that a FIR against Azam Khan under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race), 153B (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of IPC has been registered against Azam Khan with the Masuri police station of Ghaziabad, on Saturday.
The charges also include Sections 505 (2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill- will between classes) and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sources said that before going ahead with the legal proceedings, Ghaziabad DM, ADM held a meeting with SSP to discuss the next course of action on this matter.
It may be mentioned that on April 7, SP leader, Azam Khan during his party rally in Muslim-dominated area Masuri area, said that Kargil ki pahadiyo ko fateh karne wala koi Hindu nahi tha, balki Kargil ki pahadiyo ko nara-e-takbeer Allah-Hu-Akbar kehkar fateh karnewale Musalman fauji the (peaks of Kargil were not conquered by Hindus, but by Muslim). The Election Commission had on Friday banned him and BJP leader Amit Shah, from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh and had asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against them.
Meanwhile speaking to media persons in Rampur on Saturday, Azam Khan said he did not speak anything wrong and was a “nationalist”. He said that the EC’s step was “premature” as he was not given a hearing and he will urge the Commission to review its decision. The FIR lodged against me does not mention a single objectionable point to implicate me. He questioned media persons whether the decision against him is fair. “What have I doneIJ My only fault is that I am the voice of the oppressed,” Khan said, adding it was a “conspiracy” by “fascists”. “Don’t be influenced by fascists. I live in a small house, lead a simple life. Who would be a bigger nationalist than me. Those who have deposited lots of money in their foreign bank accounts cannot question my patriotic sense,” he said. On EC’s action against BJP leader Amit Shah, the UP minister said he said it was not his concern. “EC and law will take care of Amit Shah. I won’t go into that.”
Defending his comments, he said, “How can a story related to the sacrifice by Muslims on the country’s border disrupt communal harmony, rather it would increase the bonding.” He said, “whatever I have been pleading in public meetings these days was the truth based on historic facts and it is expected from responsible persons to accept that by adopting full impartiality”.