NHRC directs enquiry into 'fanaticism and terrorism in Islam is more' comments by Telangana cop
By Coreena Suares Published on 28 Jan 2020 9:23 AM GMT
Hyderabad : Muhammad Abdul Mujeeb from Karimnagar district of Telangana, who was told fanaticism and terrorism in Islam is more and ‘Anti-CAA protesters must go to neighbouring countries’ by a senior police officer, has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against the Telangana cops.
He has cited ‘harassment and intimidation by senior police officials in the State’ and appealed to the Commission to inquire into the incident.
Mujeeb told the NHRC that Assistant Commissioner of Police P. Ashok and Inspector Special branch, serving in Karimnagar district had intimidated him for taking out a rally in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act on December 22.
Speaking to NewsMeter, Mujeeb said, ‘While I was part of the protest march at Rajiv Chowk, tower circle, Karimnagar, I received a call from a cop. He identified himself as an Inspector with Telangana's special branch. He threatened me for being part of the protest. It is pertinent to mention that the rally was peaceful and completely in line with the spirit of Article 19(1) (b)'.
He further adds, ‘The following day, I was asked to present myself in front of the Commissioner of Police- Karimnagar, V. B. Kamalasan Reddy. Later in the noon, I was asked to appear before the Karimnagar I Town police station. During counselling at the station, ACP Ashok, in the presence of the inspector, said, ‘anti-CAA protestors should go to the neighbouring country’, instead. I informed the police that, I was party of the protest but not the organizer'.
Mujeeb, in his petition, told the NHRC, that, he was forced to agree with ACP’s understanding of the Citizens Amendment Act as he (ACP) is a 'true Indian'. 'The police officer made a derogatory remark that fanaticism and terrorism in Islam professed by the victim are more' Mujeed added .
He appealed to NHRC to appoint a committee to inquiry into the case.
Acting upon his complaint (case no: 106/36/3/20), the NHRC has called for a detailed report from the Director General of Police -Telangana within four weeks from January 22.
‘In case the report is not received within the stipulated time, the Commission shall be constrained to invoke a coercive process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 for personal appearance of the concerned authorities,' said the NHRC direction.
