NE NEWS SERVICE
SURAT, MARCH 1
Raking up a major controversy, in-charge city commissioner of police (CP) D N Patel has allegedly labelled a group of Muslim representatives as being “Pakistanis, Bangladeshis”.
According to the allegations, the representatives went to Patel’s office on Friday seeking approval to hold a dharna against CAA and NRC in Rander area. Patel allegedly insulted them saying: “You are from Pakistan and Bangladesh.”
Jamiat E Ulema E Hind (JUH) Gujarat has taken severe offence against Patel’s comment and submitted a memorandum to the senior state police and home department officials demanding stringent actions against Patel for his insulting language.
Aziz Malam, one of the members of a group that went to apply, said that Patel started asking all Muslims in the group where they hail from — UP, Bangladesh? “He asked our names and where we were born. Later he started talking with two members from scheduled caste community who had accompanied us for support and started calling us Pakistani and Bangladeshi,” Malam said.
“He also told us that every bit of India is ours and do you know what is being done in your Pakistan with Hindu girls?” Malam added.
However, Patel has denied all allegations. “I was explaining to the group that this act is not for Indian citizens but only for those who need citizenship in India. Those from Pakistan and Bangladesh who are illegally living in India should worry, not others,” he claimed.
Abdul Quiyum Haq, general secretary of JUH, said: “The in-charge police commissioner told the group members whether they are from Pakistan or Bangladesh when they went to seek permission to hold dharna. Jamiat has written a letter to state DGP and home secretary to take actions against the officer for using insulting language.”
Parikshit Rathod, state general secretary of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) who was among the group, said: “Patel started asking us why scheduled caste people were getting involved in it (anti-CAA protest). He indirectly told the representatives that they are Pakistani and Bangladeshi and refused to permit us to continue dharna. He also denied to give the refusal in writing,” Rathod alleged.
