AIMIM district president booked over remarks on Kanwariyas in Aligarh

The AIMIM district president in Aligarh has been booked under the BNS for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Kanwariyas while seeking Eid prayer permission.

The district president of AIMIM in Aligarh has been booked under provisions of the BNS following a complaint alleging that he made objectionable remarks against Kanwariyas while seeking permission for Eid prayers on a road adjoining the city's main Eidgah, police said on Saturday.

Police said a case was registered against Yameen Khan Abbasi, district president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), under sections 192 (giving provocation with intent to cause a riots) and 353(3) (statements promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will in places of worship or religious gatherings) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Civil Lines police station on the complaint of one Gaurav Varshney.

According to the complaint, Abbasi allegedly hurt Hindu sentiments by claiming that Muslims were not allowed to offer collective prayers outside the Eidgah, while special arrangements were made for Kanwariyas during Kanwar Yatra processions.

The complainant further alleged that Abbasi used derogatory language against Kanwariyas and accused them of hooliganism and drunken behaviour.

Police said the matter is under investigation.

Earlier on Thursday, Abbasi and other AIMIM office-bearers had submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate seeking permission to offer Eid-ul-Azha prayers on the road adjoining the main Eidgah, citing the possibility of overflow of crowds during congregational prayers.