By TCN News,
Hyderabad: A city corporator on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against AIMIM leader and MP Asad Uddin Owaisi, senior journalist Shekhar Gupta and news channel NDTV for Owaisi’s interview done by Gupta for NDTV at the premises of the historic Mecca Masjid here and misusing the premises for a political purpose.
The interview of the All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader was broadcast on November 21 and the video clip of the show has been uploaded on the news channel’s YouTube and other social media networks.
Asaduddin Owaisi with Shekhar Gupta
The police have not lodged any case as yet.
“The Hyderabad MP, the NDTV channel, its anchor (Gupta), the crew members and all those involved in shooting and broadcast of the said interview have misused Mecca Masjid, a religious place. They have violated The Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988,” Amjed Ullah Khan, a Majlis Bachao Tehreek corporator, said in his complaint to the Hyderabad Police Commissioner.
Pointing out that ‘The Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act 1988’ clearly defines “political activity” as “any activity promoting or propagating the aims or objects of a political party or any cause, issue or question of a political nature”, Khan said, “Mr Owaisi’s interview was all about politics, his party AIMIM, upcoming elections in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal and other issues related to the politics of the country. Mr Owaisi and Mr Shekar Gupta walked inside the Mecca Masjid premises discussing politics surrounding AIMIM Party.”
The Corporator not just accused Owaisi, Gupta, NDTV channel and its staff, he also pointed that the Superintendent, Mecca Masjid was also seen moving along the shooting crew of the channel.
Whether or not the news channel took prior permission from the Minorities Welfare Department of the Telangana government, which manages the mosque, he said, “In both the cases, the officials of this Department headed by Principal Secretary, and the Mecca Masjid staff, too have violated the law.”
Khan further demanded a case be booked under section 295A of the IPC for hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims. “They tried to convey a political message by misusing the historic Mecca Masjid. They should also be booked under Section 141 (Unlawful Assembly) during the shooting of the said interview,” he added.
Demanding immediate action, the corporator asked for registration of a case against Owaisi, Gupta and management of NDTV apart from Superintendent & staff of Mecca Masjid, officials of the Minority Welfare Department, government of Telangana and others for violating the law.