Demonstration in Jaipur in support of Naik, Owaisi

Jaipur, Jul 17: A Muslim organisation Popular Front of India today held a demonstration in support of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi alleging that a section of society and government is trying to defame them.

The demonstration was held in front of Musjid Kureshian on Moti Dungari road in the city. State president of the organisation, Anish Ansari, said both the leaders are "popular" and their activities are not hidden from people living.

"Zakir Naik is an Islamic preacher and on several occasions he has condemned all forms of terrorism. His speech is available on social media sites and he has crores of followers across the world," he said. Ansari said any move against Naik is a "blow on the Constitutional right of protection of interests of minorities".

For Owaisi, who has been booked under sedition charges over extending legal aid to alleged ISIS members in arrested from Hyderabad, Ansari said protection in respect of conviction in offences is also a Constitutional right and giving a legal aid is nothing wrong.

"Those who are accusing Owaisi of supporting terrorism either have no knowledge of the basic principles of the Constitution or they are deliberately targeting him because they hate his political status," he alleged.

PTI