Muharram order objectionable, act against DGP, says Shia cleric

LUCKNOW: Maulana Kalbe Jawad, general secretary of Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Hind, on Monday demanded that the government take action against UP director general of police (DGP) for “inciting Shia-Sunni and Hindu-Muslim sentiments” by “using objectionable words” in an internal order sent out to district police chiefs about the security arrangements during Muharram. At a press conference on Monday, Shia cleric Jawad objected to the internal police communication document that went viral on social media on Sunday.
Police, however, said it is an internal communication meant for briefing district police officers about the security during Muharram and the part of it which is being called objectionable was about anti-social elements.
However, raising questions on the intent of the DGP and police, the cleric appealed to Muharram committees and Anjumans across the state, Sunni and Hindu Azadars (those who commemorate Muharram), to boycott all meetings of the police and the administration. “The DGP should apologise and withdraw the circular first before we take part in any future meetings to be held by them,” he said.
All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) also condemned the document along with other clerics and appealed to Azadars across the state to give a memorandum against the DGP on August 8 to their DM concerned.
Prashant Kumar, ADG, said: “A detailed order of dos and don’ts was issued on July 31 for all the officers on the field, for Muharram. This is an internal order based on ground realities and events that have happened earlier.”