By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Eminent Shia cleric and Imam-e-Juma Maulana Kalbe Jawwad threatened to gherao party offices of Congress across the country if the Shia community is not handed over the possession of Shah-e-Mardan, a Karbala in Jor Bagh locality of New Delhi. Maulana Jawwad served an ultimatum till Monday noon for fulfilling his demand.
The Shah-e-Mardan Karbala dispute is quite old with the Shias claiming their right over the karbala and adjoining areas while most of the area is now residential in Jor Bagh locality. The karbala falls within the constituency of Delhi’s Chief Minister (CM) Sheila Dixit.
Over the political ramifications of his agitation, Jawwad claimed that he is not directly involved in politics but surely it will harm Congress prospects. “When we are protesting against anyone, the message is quite clear. People from our community are smart enough to take decision,” he said.
Jawwad claimed that it is the sole religious Shia place within a radius of 300 kms. “It also has a chakki which was used by Prophet’s daughter and is highly reverred by us. Even non-Muslims and Hindus also pay their regard at the place,” he said.
Amidst the legal battle for the control of the karbala, the Shia clerics showed court orders for opening the western gate of the karbala. Recently on January 15 there was a showdown over the issue at the Karbala with hundreds of Shias fighting pitched battle with police. Security forces used tear gas shells to disperse them. An FIR has been lodged against the Shia community leaders after the incident. Many people including women and children were hurt in the incident.
“It was a pre-planned move of the Sheila Dixit as she does not want to antagonise the anti-Muslim voters in her area. She wanted to repeat the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. We have been demanding our just right which is even granted by the court,” said Jawwad.
The Shia cleric even threatened to gherao the Congress party office in every district across the country. “During our talks after the incident we had given ultimatum till January 30 failing which we will start our agitation. We will gherao Congress party office across the country,” he said. Jawwad also announced that those clerics who have been named in the FIR will surrender on Monday at New Delhi. “Let them arrest and we will start our agitation,” he said.