Different laws being followed in the country for Hindus and Muslims: Congress MP Imran Masood
Saharanpur (PTI): Congress MP from Saharanpur, Imran Masood, on Sunday alleged that the government was following "two types of laws" for Hindus and Muslims, as he called into question police action against the desecrators of a mausoleum in Fatehpur and arrests of Muslims in Bareilly.
Masood, while talking to PTI, accused the police of implicating innocent Muslims in false cases connected to the last month's violence in Bareilly.
On September 26, locals in Bareilly gathered in a large number after Friday prayers over the cancellation of a protest called over 'I Love Muhammad' posters and a clash between them and police ensued.
Several people were injured in the confrontation, with police filing 10 FIRs and booking hundreds of people, most of them unidentified, in its wake.
More than 70 people, including cleric Tauqeer Raza Khan, his aides, and some relatives, have been arrested so far.
Masood claimed that he had been placed under house arrest ahead of his visit to violence-hit Bareilly on October 1.
On vandalisation of the Fatehpur mausoleum in August, Masood said, "When people enter the shrine in Fatehpur and vandalise it or stand on graves and desecrate them, no action is taken. Neither police batons are used, nor are limbs broken, nor are bullets fired."
During the Kanwar Yatra, he said, roadside eateries are vandalised, set on fire, looted, passersby are assaulted, and yet no action is taken. Instead, authorities try to "pacify people through persuasion."
"But if someone stands with a poster (saying 'I Love Muhammad'), you (the police) will break their arms and legs, and even shoot them in the legs. So, the truth is that different laws apply to two different communities," he alleged.
The lawmaker accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "destroying" democracy and said the atmosphere in UP was not far from peaceful.
"So much hatred is being created that it becomes difficult to live in the country. Peace and harmony are completely destroyed. If the environment deteriorates, the common man of the country will suffer," he said.
On the 'I Love Muhammad' campaign, Masood said he does not consider the display of the posters appropriate.
"There is no need for posters to show love for the Prophet Muhammad. Being a Muslim in itself guarantees that one has love for the Prophet in one's heart," he said.
Masood also warned his community members to be wary of making any such gesture as that attracts authorities' attention.
"They should understand that the government wants to target them. In such a situation, they should not allow themselves to be targeted," he said.
On August 11, members of Hindu right-wing outfits vandalised a mausoleum in Fatehpur, claiming that it was a temple site and they had a right to pray there.
A day later, the police booked more than 150 people, including 10 named individuals, for damaging public property and disturbing the peace.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
