Hindus and Muslims co-existed together, Judge tells Owaisi

, Jan 11: The hate speech by Majilis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA

has shocked the entire nation.

On Wednesday, Jan 9, a sitting Judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court while hearing a plea against him thought that it would be appropriate to give Owaisi a lesson in "religious harmony".

The Judge warned MIM leader that through his hate speech, Owaisi has dug his own grave.

Justice L Narasimha Reddy elaborated on the peaceful coexistence of Hindus and Muslims in the country since time immemorial.

Reddy also asked Owaisi, "How someone like Owaisi was using his position to instigate people on communal lines when his own life was once saved by the prayers of hundreds of ordinary Indians, besides medical efforts?"

The judge, however, declined to grant any interim relief to the MIM legislator.

MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi was arrested in Hyderabad on Jan 8.

Justice Reddy said that he watched the entire speech on YouTube and his speech is highly objectionable.

"What will happen if I cross my limits to direct police to keep quite for an hour. You must not forget that it was the police who saved him during attack," Justice Reddy asked while speaking on the hate speech.

Two counsels - Advocate DV Sitaram Murthy and Advocate Ramchandra Rao - appeared before the court in defence of Owaisi.

On this, Justice Reddy said that "you didn't spare Lord Rama" in the inflammatory speech but "two counsels with Rama names (DV Sitaram Murthy and Advocate Ramchandra Rao) are defending you".

Justice Reddy said, "Akbaruddin's statement has hurt feelings of a particular community of this country. And it is equivalent to challenging the country too. This country has made your father and brother Members of Parliament. After being an elected representative, how could you justify your act."

"Your father made two Hindus mayor of Hyderabad from party ticket. He set brilliant example of communal harmony. But this kind of speech from Salahuddin Owaisi's son is unbelievable," Justice Reddy commented.

The MIM legislator has been booked under Sec 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), Sec 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) and Sec 121 (waging or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India) of IPC.

Stone-pelting in Hyderabad

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in areas surrounding the historic Charminar here today after suspected MIM supporters pelted stones at police, injuring five policemen and some mediapersons.

Scores of protesters pelted stones at cops after the Friday prayers at Mecca Masjid near Charminar, prompting police to lob teargas shells to disperse the mob, police said. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said the police were verifying the CCTV footage, adding the action will definitely be initiated against the stone pelters.

Police had already made elaborate security arrangements in the Old City, which is said to be a stronghold of MIM following the arrest of Owaisi. After the prayers, the protesters raising pro-MIM slogans took to streets near Hussaini Alam and Shahalibanda localities demanding the immediate release of Owaisi, who is currently under judicial custody and lodged in Adilabad District Jail. Police arrested Owaisi, leader of MIM legislature party in the Legislative assembly, from Gandhi Hospital here on Jan 8 in connection with an alleged hate speech case booked against him by Nirmal Town police. Owaisi, accused of sedition and criminal conspiracy for his "hate speech", also faces similar cases registered by Nizamabad Town police besides Osmania University police here.

OneIndia News