By TCN Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: In an unfortunate development at Shia PG College in Lucknow, eminent Shia Cleric and Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad and members of Board of Trustees of the college came face to face on Sunday. Maulana Jawwad protested against the holding of the annual meeting of the college on grounds that the day is of mourning the shahadat of fifth Imam Baqar.
Jaawad had earlier announced to perform majlis and matam at the Naseeruddin Karbala situated at Shia College on Sunday. The board of trustees had announced to hold the annual meeting on same day on grounds that the meeting date was decided earlier and cannot be postponed. In the morning Maulana Jawwad along with his supporters reached Shia College and protested against the meeting. During the scuffle, he maintained that permission be given for him to hold majlis and matam at Naseeruddin Shah Karbala. He also stated if permission is not granted, he should be arrested. Police present on the occasion took him into preventive custody.
The incident sparked violent protest by Jawwad’s supporters. They damaged buses, damaged public property and came out in large numbers. Police had a hard time in controlling the rampaging mob. Soon hundreds of people in the old city came out on roads demanding release of Maulana Jawwad.
In the meantime, the meeting of Shia College could not be held at announced time. A message was given to media persons that S Akhter Hussain Rizvi, former MP and secretary of Shia College, will hold press conference at 1 pm but soon it was cancelled due to the prevailing tension. During the melee all roads leading to Shia College, Daliganj, Khadra, Pucca Pul, Hussainabad, Medical College Crossing were blocked and traffic went haywire due to the protestors.
Later, the senior administrative officials announced that Maulana Jawwad had been released but the mob refused to retract. They claimed that Maulana Jawwad should be brought in person before them then only things will be normalised. Heavy police force has been stationed in old city localities and tension is palpable among the residents.
On the other hand, Maulana Yasoob Abbas supporting the board of trustees stated that the meeting was fixed earlier and was being held as per schedule. He also stated that Maulana Jawwad should not mix religious affairs with college administration.