A Congress leader has filed a complaint against another leader for allegedly defaming him and others on social media over the latter’s decision to confine Eid-e-Milad festival to local streets and change the procession timings in light of the communal violence that had hit the city earlier this month.
This year, community leaders in Surat decided that the religious procession for Eid-e-Milad will not be taken out on the Raj Marg – the main city road. Besides, the timing of the procession would be from 11am to 2.30pm, as against the evening hours, to ensure it does not coincide with the aarti on the eve of Ganesh Visarjan on September 16.
According to the FIR filed by Congress leader Mustak Kanunga, ex-Surat corporator Aslam Cyclewala and 10 others defamed him and senior leaders of the community by sharing “inciteful and hateful” messages on social media.
Police have arrested six people in connection with the FIR. Cyclewala and others are yet to be arrested.
Apart from Cyclewala, the FIR was filed against Liyakatali Saiyed, Salman, Wasim, Musaji Lukman, Raju Qureshi, Irfan Mansuri, Mazhar Saiyed, Sajju Bapu, Saeed Achha, and an unknown person, at Lalgate police station on Sunday.
Liyakatali, Mazhar, Mansuri, Lukman, Qureshi, and Salman were arrested on Monday.
The FIR stated, “Keeping in mind the tense situation of the city, both the committee (Surat Eid-e-Milad committee and Sirat-un-nabi committee) members called a meeting with Shanti Samiti committees of different areas and decided that the procession will be taken out in the morning…and not on the main roads.” Police have registered offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s (BNS) sections dealing with promoting enmity on grounds of religion; deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings; criminal intimidation; intentional insult; and common intention, among others.
According to the FIR: “On September 8, communal riots took place between two communities at Saiyedpura police chowky area in Surat, in relation to the stone-pelting incident by a minor at the Ganesh Pandal at Variyavi Bazaar area. The peaceful atmosphere of the city was damaged due to the clashes.”
The FIR further stated, “On September 13, under the leadership of Surat police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, a meeting was organised at Surat Police Bhavan, which was attended by leaders of Muslim community, including Kadir Pirzada (who is also a member of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee), Kanunga, BJP minority cell president Mohsin Mirza, Surat city Tazia committee president Arshad Kalyani, along with members of both the Eid-e-Milad committees and Shree Surat Ganesh Visarjan committee.”
The FIR said, “The decision to not take out the Eid-e-Milad procession on the road as well as to conclude it before evening was accepted by all… However, some people put photos of the attendees on social media and called them traitors. Kanunga and Pirzada were the main target of the accused.”
Talking to The Indian Express, Pirzada said, “There are some elements in the society, who criticise whatever good is done for the benefit of society… Everybody appreciated our suggestions, but some people criticised it on social media.”
On the other hand, Cyclewala said, “Throughout my political career, I have not used any word or sentence, which damages the communal harmony of the city. I have been made an accused…to damage my political image.”
Lalgate police inspector N M Chaudhary said, “We have arrested six accused out of the 11 named in the police complaint. We are searching for the others.”