Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan who had earlier threatened Hindus, booked for hate speech

A case has been booked against National president of Ittehad-e-Millat Council Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan who was in the news for his controversial statement that action should be taken against those who talk about a 'Hindu rashtra'.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hemraj Meena said that the case was registered against Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, accused of making provocative statements and objectionable remarks against the Prime Minister at Nagphani police station. ''The case has been lodged for inciting communal sentiments, giving provocative statement and issuing threats on the basis of video received from the media,'' he said.

Addressing a press conference in Moradabad last weekend, the Tauqeer Raza Khan had said that the government which files a case of treason against those demanding Khalistan should also do the same with those who demand a Hindu Rashtra.

He also questioned what would happen if Muslim youths start demanding a separate Muslim state. Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan went on to add that another partition of the country will not be allowed.

The comments were made in the wake of radical Sikh preacher, Amritpal Singh drawing a parallel between a "Hindu Rashtra" and "Khalistan". "The government should take action by filing sedition cases against those who demand Khalistan," Raza also said. Action should also be taken against those who call for a "Hindu Rashtra," he added.

Maulana Raza went on to make controversial comments against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him 'Dhritarashtra.' He further alleged that the BJP government encourages attacks on Muslims and supports those who are anti-Islam.

He further made a controversial remark on Namaz. He said, 'Wherever we are, we will offer Namaz, if the police have to file a case, then do it'.

Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has been booked under 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence), 295 (outraging religious feelings) and 505-2 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the IPC for inciting communal feelings and making objectionable comments and further action will be taken after checking viral videos, the SSP said.

This is not the first time where Maulana Tauqeer Raza has raised eyebrows with his controversial comments. He had once said, "if the country is going to be ruled by the stick, then our sticks are not weak either." He had also sought a ban on Hindu groups such as VHP and Bajrang Dal.

Maulana Tauqeer Raza is associated with the Sunni Barelvi movement, which is a popular Islamic movement in South Asia.

Maulana Tauqeer Raza is the founder of the Islamic educational institution, Jamia Raza-e-Mustafa, which is located in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The institution offers courses on Islamic studies and has produced many notable scholars and religious leaders.