Assam: Police complaint against Ajmal for 'disrespecting' traditional scarf

Assam Satra Mahasabha lodged the FIR against Ajmal at Morigaon police station for allegedly throwing away the cheleng from his shoulder when he was presented with it at a meeting in Lahorighat in Morigaon district on Tuesday, police said.The matter came to light when a purported video of the meeting was shown by TV channels.The Dhubri MP, however, claimed that he was passing the scarf to people seated below the dais.Bimal Chandra Borkakoti, secretary of the Mahasabha, said, Such disrespect to our honoured cheleng will not be tolerated.

A police complaint was lodged against opposition AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday for allegedly disrespecting 'cheleng', a traditional Vaishnavite scarf. Assam Satra Mahasabha lodged the FIR against Ajmal at Morigaon police station for allegedly throwing away the 'cheleng' from his shoulder when he was presented with it at a meeting in Lahorighat in Morigaon district on Tuesday, police said.

The matter came to light when a purported video of the meeting was shown by TV channels.

The Dhubri MP, however, claimed that he was passing the scarf to people seated below the dais.

Bimal Chandra Borkakoti, secretary of the Mahasabha, said, ''Such disrespect to our honoured 'cheleng' will not be tolerated. We have filed the police complaint against Ajmal.'' An officer of the Morigaon police station said they are looking into the allegations raised in the complaint and necessary action will be taken according to the law.

Ajmal alleged a controversy was being stirred by those who want to create problems in the state.

''There were people seated below the dais and they asked me for the 'cheleng'. So, I passed it on to them. If one looks at the video, one can see that I was not throwing the 'cheleng' but was handing it to them with love,'' he said.

''This controversy is being stirred created by elements that are against the Assamese people,'' the AIUDF supremo added, without naming anyone.