Maharashtra : Fanatics booked for ‘raising Hamas flags’, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans in Jalgaon

SP MLA Abu Azmi demands withdrawal of complaint

The Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi demanded the withdrawal of a police case filed against 11 Fanatics in Dharangaon, Jalgaon, Maharashtra for allegedly raising Hamas and Palestine flags and raising anti-India slogans on 8th November 2023. Azmi claimed that ‘no Hamas flags were raised’ during the rally and that the allegations leveled against the 11 accused are ‘false’.

The 11 accused persons booked in the case on 16th December 2023 are Sheikh Rafiq Sheikh Musa Qureshi, Irfan Sheikh Armaan, Mohammed Ismail Yusuf, Nagar Momin, Nadimoddin Ejajoddin Kazi, Kalu Ustad, Mohammed Saleem Mohammed Isac Momin, Ibrahim Janab urf Ittu Janab, Amjad Khan Gulab Khan Beldaar, Mohammed Ayas Mohammed Siddiqi, Junaid Khan. These persons have been booked by the Jalgaon Police under sections 153(A)(1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Azmi on Monday (18th December) said that the rally was organized by Fanatics in support of Palestine with police permission and that no flags of Hamas were raised. “Fanatics in Dharangaon (Jalgaon district) had organized a rally in support of Palestine with proper permission on 8th November. A local group later organized a counter rally and raised provocative slogans. This rally was organized without permission, but no police case was registered against them,” he said.

He also claimed that the participants of the counter-rally maintained that Hamas flags were carried during the rally by Fanatics but nothing as such happened.

Azmi’s comments came after Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis assured in the state assembly that strict action would be taken against the accused who raised pro-Hamas slogans and flags in a rally at Dharangaon, Jalgaon in Maharashtra.

The issue was raised in the state assembly by BJP MLC Prasad Lad who demanded a thorough investigation into the case. He stated that individuals supporting Hamas had participated in the Dharangaon rally, prompting the deputy chief minister to promise a thorough examination of the information provided by Lad and appropriate action.

Fanatics carried steel rods, raised ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’, ‘Hamas Jindabad, Bharat Murdabad’ slogans, flags

As per the FIR, the rally in support of Palestine, ‘Julus-e-Gaosiya’ was organized by a Muslim organization named Rafiq Qureshi Foundation in Dharangaon on 8th November 2023. The rally was attended by around 2500 to 3000 people from the their community. Even the children studying in Madarsas nearby participated in the rally.

Source: Opindia