Kolkata: Madrasa headmaster attacked for insulting religion

Kolkata, April 2: A headmaster who has been working in a government-aided madrassa was attacked in Kolkata on Thursday, March 26, by a mob for allegedly making remarks against a particular religion.

Kazi Masum Akhtar, the headmaster of Talpukar Ara High Madrasa, has been hospitalized after an attack by a mob led by local fundamentalists.

The victim also suffered a 2.5 inch deep wound on his head.

"They labeled baseless charges against me. I am a devout Muslim and offer namaaz every day. My son studies in an English-medium school but reads the Quran as well. At my home, you will find the Quran, the Vedas and books by Ramakrishna," HT quoted Akhtar as saying.

According to reports, the victim has lodged a complaint against the attackers in Rajabagan police station regarding the incident.

"But the police refused to include the charge of attempt to murder despite my insistence," Akhtar said.

Akhtar is planning to approach the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking justice.

The headmaster was attacked by the mob, claiming that he had made anti-religious remarks while teaching Class 10th.

While thrashing him, the group also argued that he had no right to comment on religion.

"They accused me of trying to be like Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin. But this is not true," said Akhtar who is a regular contributor in some Bengali newspapers.

"They said I insulted (my) religion when I said madrasas should be destroyed. But I did not," Akhtar said.

OneIndia News