The Mumbai police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against followers of preacher Mufti Salman Azhari, who gathered outside the Ghatkopar police station following his detention in connection with a viral video that accused of promoting hate crime. This incident unfolded after Azhari’s arrest in Gujarat and subsequent allegations of promoting enmity between religious groups.
On Saturday, Gujarat’s Junagadh police arrested two individuals in response to a viral video featuring an inflammatory speech attributed to Azhari. The speech occurred during an event near the ‘B’ division police station on January 31. An FIR was filed against Azhari and local organisers under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Arrests and Stone Pelting Incident
Local organizers Mohammad Yousuf Malek and Azim Habib Odedara were arrested earlier, while five individuals accused of throwing stones at a bus were apprehended by the Ghatkopar police. Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemraj Rajput mentioned that the FIR included charges of obstructing public servants and other sections.
A substantial crowd, numbering around 3000 to 4000 people, had gathered outside the Ghatkopar police station, demanding Azhari’s release. Despite his announcement urging dispersal, approximately 1500 individuals remained. Subsequent attempts to halt buses and stone-pelting resulted in a police force charge to clear the road.
As Azhari was brought to the Ghatkopar police station, supporters blocked traffic, leading to a lathi charge by the police to clear the path for the convoy heading to Junagadh.
About Mufti Salman Azhari and His Speech
Maulana Mufti Salman Azhari, a Sunni research scholar and motivational speaker, is the founder of several institutions. His powerful speeches, rooted in his education at Al-Azhar University, have garnered a significant global following. Despite legal challenges, Azhari has urged supporters to refrain from protesting and maintain law and order.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan clarified that Azhari’s speech primarily addressed the Israel-Palestine dispute, Myanmar, and Arab countries, with no intention to provoke. Despite the video being several minutes long, only a portion of it was extracted and shared on social media, leading to misinformation and controversy.
The arrest of Mufti Salman Azhari and the subsequent events have sparked a debate on freedom of speech and the responsibilities of public figures.
