FIR on Subramanian Swamy over ‘masjid not religious place’ remarks

Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy triggered a fresh controversy in Assam by defining “the masjid a structure for namaz but not a religious institution”.

Justifying his claim Mr Swamy, who was here for a meeting of upcoming entrepreneurs, said, “I have the letter of Saudi Arab where hundreds of such institutions were demolished as they consider masjid a building and an ideal place to offer namaz but not a religious institution. So there is nothing wrong if a mosque is demolished in India also.”

“His comments are completely insulting for a community. We will take action. If he continues to talk like this, we will ban his entry into Assam,” chief minister Tarun Gogoi said.

The remark of Mr Swamy provoked many religious organisations, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, which on Saturday — a day after Mr Swamy’s statement — lodged an FIR accusing him of fanning communal tension in the state. The police said that they have registered an FIR against Mr Swamy under IPC Sections 120(B) i.e. common criminal conspiracy and 153 (A) i.e. promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion following a complaint of KMSS.

Bogged down by controversial statement of Mr Swamy in the past also, the Assam BJP quickly disowned Mr Swamy’s statement and clarified that it was his personal view and not the line of the party.