West Bengal BJP slams imam for beacon remark

Berhampore/Kolkata: BJP state president Dilip Ghosh on Friday threatened to “drag” Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Masjid Maulana Nooror Rehman Barkati to the court for his controversial comments regarding using red beacon on his car and alleged remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Kharagpur MLA also slammed the Mamata Banerjee government for remaining silent about the issue.

At a press meet in Berhampore he said, “The BJP will file a case at the court very soon against Imam Barkati for his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” In Kolkata, BJP Youth Morcha workers took out a rally demanding the arrest of the religious leader during an agitation on Mahatma Gandhi Road on Friday afternoon for defying the ban of red beacon. They also held an agitation. This led to a traffic snarl in the area.

State BJP activists block Central Avenue and M.G. Road crossing protesting against Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Masjid Maulana Nooror Rehman Barkati. (Photo: Asian Age)

State BJP Youth Morcha president Tushar Kanti Ghosh said, “Imam Barkati has to be arrested. Or else our movement will continue.” When a large police contingent led by deputy commissioner of police (central) Akhilesh Chaturvedi arrived at the spot, a tussle unfolded between the two sides. Around 40 BJP workers were arrested by the police and were taken away in a prison van from the spot.