Porbandar: Three Muslim youths in Porbandar consumed phenyl and made a video on Instagram stating that seven to eight persons from their own Muslim community were harassing and defaming them and attempting to kick them out of the community. They stated that they faced this for just raising a question over Shariyat law.

Today, a Muslim cleric known as Wasid Raza has been detained by the police following the circulation of an audio recording on social media in which he is purported to have disrespected the national flag. The accused was taken into custody by Kirtimandir police after an initial complaint was lodged against him on Friday.

Porbandar-based Muslim cleric’s purported audio clips had gone viral recently in which he could be heard saying that Muslims should hoist the national flag of India but must not offer a salute to it. As reported by these three youths, two audio clips were shared on WhatsApp. In one of the audio recordings, Wasif Raza conveyed that Muslims should refrain from singing the national anthem, while in another audio, he expressed the opinion that Muslims should avoid saluting the tricolour.

About six youths of the same Muslim community visited Maulana Hafiz Vasif Raza and inquired about this audio clip that had gone viral. Vasim Raza, according to these youths, admitted that the clip was authentic and he had made this remark.

When the youths argued that Prophet had given a message that Muslims must be loyal to the country, and therefore such a remark by a cleric was invalid, Maulana Raza stayed firm on his remark and reiterated what he had opined in an audio clip.

As per the police complaint filed by Nagina Masjid Porbandar and Darul Ulum Gaushe Azam Trust’s trustee Yusuf Muhammad Panjani(60), the persons namely Abid Anwar Kadri, Ikbal Anwar Kadri alias Ikubapu, Samir Yunus Kadri, Shakil Yunis Kadri, Imtiyaz Harun Sipahi alias Imtu, Yunus Kadri and other unidentified persons had protested the audio clip about twenty days ago and on 2nd August, they arrived at Darul Ulum institution’s location and started verbally abusing Maulana Hafiz Vasif Raza and their disciples and also beat up Sajid Ami Gigani. A death threat was also issued against Hafiz and other Muslim leaders. Religious sentiments were hurt and a voice clip issuing threat was also sent.

After this complaint was registered, the youths Shakil Kadri Saiyad, Sohil Ibrahim Parmar and Imtiyaz Harun Sipahi made a reel on Instagram in which they said that some persons from their own community were harassing and defaming them and trying to kick them out of the community.

The youths then consumed phenyl. According to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Porbandar district, Bhagirathsinh Jadeja, an audio clip will be sent for forensic report before proceeding further in this case.

Meanwhile, Darul Ulum Gaoshe Azam Trust’s Trustee Yusuf Muhammad Punjani and other leaders called a press conference and claimed that the clip which is in circulation is not authentic and Maulana Raza has not given any such speech. The Trustees further alleged that the youths who have made allegations were booked for several offenses in the past too. DeshGujarat