Hyderabad: Muslim groups sore as cops refuse them meeting permit

Hyderabad: While allowing Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen to organise a protest meet against Babri Masjid demolition, police refused permission to Tahreek Muslim Shabban for the same on grounds that it could lead to a law and order issue.

As a result, while the MIM meet was held on an open ground on Sunday, the meeting of TMS had to be organised indoors. Still, the TMS meet saw 50 policemen and intelligence officers turning up outside the Tahreek’s office in Chaderghat wanting to know what was being discussed.

TMS president Mohammed Mustaq Mallik said, “We had applied for permission for an outdoor meeting. But the police denied it stating permission cannot be granted. I am being told this every time I want to arrange a meeting of religious scholars to debate an issue, whether triple talaq, National Register of Citizens and now Babri Masjid.”

Incidentally, police had also denied permission to non-government organisations, small political outfits and religious bodies of Old City to hold meetings.

Earlier too, police had denied permission at the last minute to TMS for a public meeting on October 19-20, though its president approached home minister Mahmood Ali for the purpose. Mallik then approached the High Court, which allowed an indoor meeting comprising about 200 people.

Social activist and YouTuber Wali Rahmani and personality development trainer Munawar Zaman were also not allowed to address an indoor meeting in August on grounds of security, even though it was a personality development programme.

Amjedullah Khan of Majlis Bachao Tehreek said, “Our contention is why only one political party is being allowed to make statements, conduct conferences and talk about issues facing the community.

There are many others who want to express their views. But in the name of law and order, police are not allowing us. If we are not allowed, then others also must not be allowed,” the MBT leader remarked.

According to sources, permission for the MIM protest meet was not to be given. But as there were last-minute requests, permission had to be granted.

Others state that they too have approached home minister Mahmood Ali from time to time. Though he assured support, his word had not been kept. “Why is that so,” one of them asked.