All India Muslim Personal Law Board Demands Immediate Release of Maulana Tauqir Raza and Protesters
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly condemned the arrest of Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan and several others following peaceful protests across Uttar Pradesh. In a sharply worded statement, the Board accused the state government of stoking communal tensions and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.
Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for the Board, expressed deep concern over the police action on demonstrators, particularly in the wake of the Kanpur incident, which has triggered protests across the state. He said the arrests reflect a vindictive attitude by the police and government authorities.
“Expressing love and reverence for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through banners or slogans like ‘I Love Muhammad’ is neither illegal nor unconstitutional,” Dr. Ilyas said. “In a country like India, people of various faiths often display devotion to their religious figures. The FIR filed in Kanpur for such an expression was irresponsible, biased, and unjustified.”
The Board also took strong exception to the statements made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, describing them as communal and unbecoming of a constitutional leader.
“The Chief Minister must remember that he is elected to represent all citizens, not just one community. His recent rhetoric targeting Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan and peaceful protesters in Bareilly is divisive and dangerous,” Dr. Ilyas said.
The AIMPLB further emphasized that peaceful protest is a constitutional right, and Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan’s call for such a demonstration was well within democratic norms. The Board reiterated that protesting government actions is a fundamental right in any democracy, and the suppression of these rights sets a troubling precedent.
Demanding justice, the Board concluded by urging the Uttar Pradesh government to immediately release Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan and all others arrested during the protests, and to withdraw all cases filed against them.
