Mumbai: A Byculla based businessman on Wednesday submitted a written complaint to the Agripada police station seeking to register a FIR against Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sambit Patra for allegedly making inflammatory statements that are prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between Muslims and Hindus. Patra’s statement was made during a live debate last week.
Amjad Khan, in his complaint letter, a copy of which is with The Asian Age, made the statement during a live debate on November 8, when All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) spokesperson Sayed Asim Waqar asked why BJP changed the name of Lucknow’s Ekana International stadium after ex-Prime Minister and BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
An enraged Patra threatened Waqar and asked him to keep quiet or else he would change the name of some masjid after Lord Vishnu.
The debate was about the renaming of places and cities in Uttar Pradesh.
Khan’s complaint states that, “Patra’s statement is inflammatory, deliberate, provocative creating disharmony, feeling of enmity, hatred and ill-will between Muslim and Hindu religious communities.” The letter further reads, “It is disturbing and also further likely to disturb the public tranquility.”
It also said that, “Patra’s statement was deliberate and intended to outrage the religious feelings of the Muslim community to insult their religious beliefs.”
Speaking to The Asian Age, Khan said, “We have handed over the complaint letter to Agripada police and have also sent copies of letter to Home Department, Joint commissioner of police (crime) and DCP so as to prevent Mr Patra from repeating such criminal acts. It is necessary that police take strict action against him.” He also said, “The police has not yet registered FIR on our complaint. If the police won’t register a FIR then I’ll move court.”
