A Gujarat-based maulvi belonging to Tabliqh Jamaat has put himself in troubled waters terming Prophet Muhammad as ‘bhai’ (brother). An FIR has been lodged against him. Though maulvi Kari Ahmedali Hussain Ali Battiwala challenged the charges against him in the Gujarat High Court. The HC admitted the case of hurting religious sentiments and ruled that he must face trial.
In the year 2009 during his addresses to gatherings the maulavi encouraged followers to call the prophet as ‘bhai’ only, and allegedly equated himself with the Prophet. Battiwala is also accused of inciting people against Sufi saints, and urging them to destroy their shrines.
The FIR against Battiwala was registered by the Secretary of Sunni Awami Forum and he was briefly arrested before being let out on bail. later on he challenged the charges against him in Gujarat High Court citing freedom of speech and freedom to propagate one’s faith. According to him, the statement he made was on the basis of the Hadith, where Prophet purportedly terms his followers as brothers. He further argued that the charges didn’t stand as there was no one in the gathering raised any objection during his speeches. He maintained that, he didn't hurt anybody's religious sentiment as the case filed after almost a year of his remarks. Maulavi contended that no one from complainant's side present at the time of hearing in the court.
“The Prophet can equate himself with others by terming the Muslims as his brothers, but it is unfair on the part of a person to draw this comparison,” said advocate of complainant Rafik lokhandwala. Battiwala who has been booked under section 295 (A) of IPC for hurting religious feelings is now set to appeal in the Supreme Court regarding the issue.