Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, April 21
Patna Police on Friday evening launched a manhunt to trace Rais Gaznavi and others who had shouted offensive slogans against the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after Friday prayers outside Jama Masjid here today.
Kotwali police station officer-in-charge Sujit Kumar said Rais was leading the mob who were shouting slogans like Shahid Atiq Ahmad Amar Rahen and Modi-Yogi Murdabad after the last (Alwida) Friday prayers on the streets of Station Road at Jama Masjid, the oldest mosque constructed in 1901 by Sir Syed Fakhruddin, the first Muslim education minister of then Orissa-Bihar state.’
Rais, who owns a shop near the mosque, was leading the Muslims after Friday prayers on the busy Station Road. He was heard telling Atiq was murdered by the state and court that had remanded him to police custody was also silent. He was heard telling the local media, “Muslims in the world are agitated over murder of Atiq who was killed during holy month of Ramadan.”
Police questioned his brother who also runs a shop on the Station Road. Rais escaped keeping his shop open, when Kotwali police reached. Police also questioned some YouTubers who interviewed Rais .
According to police, Rais and his supporters would be tried for disturbing peace and tranquility in the society. He made the speech in the area which is communally sensitive too as it is close to the oldest Hanuman temple of the state near Patna Junction.
District Magistrate of Patna, Chandrashekhar Singh reviewed the situation in the state capital and preparations for the Saturday Eid prayers at different mosques in the town. He said 357 spots have been identified where prayers would be offered. Biggest assembly is expected at Gandhi Maidan, he said. Administration has posted about 400 magistrates tomorrow.
Meanwhile, leader of opposition Vijay Kumar Sinha alleged the anti-national elements were active in Bihar due to the patronage from the ruling party, He said Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav had called gangster Atiq Ahmad as Atiq ji and even Chief Minister Nitish Kumar questioned the working of Uttar Pradesh government. These statements have encouraged the anti-national elements to come in support of the slain gangster, he said.
Sushil Kumar Modi, former Deputy Chief Minister said there was an attempt to disturb social harmony in connivance with the ruling parties in Bihar. This had happened at Sasaram and Biharsharif during the Ram Nawami festival.
He reminded the Muslim leaders who are accusing U P Government with negligence in protecting Atiq Ahmad and said during the RJD rule, Minister Brijbihari Prasad was gunned down at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences under heavy security cover. Two sitting MLAs Ajit Sarkar and Ashok Singh were killed though they were also heavily guarded by security men.
