By Waquar Hasan / Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Muslim leaders have demanded action after a jailer in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district forcefully shaved off the beard of a Muslim inmate calling him Pakistani.
In a complaint filed by him with the district collector on Friday, Kalim said the jailer, Narayan Singh Rana, misbehaved with him when he came for an inspection of the jail on 14 September.
“He misbehaved with me. I was keeping a bear as I’m a Muslim. However, the jailer forcibly cut my beard in front of other inmates. He asked whether I came from Pakistan. I kept pleading with him against doing so, but he did not heed to anything,” said Kalim.
Kalim, along with Waheed, Talib, Arif and Salman, was jailed on 13 September for violation of section 151. They were released the next day. All of them are residents of Jirapur town in Rajgarh. After coming out of the jail, a delegation of local Muslims met the district collector and demanded action against the jailer.
“The jailer not only insulted my religion but also insulted me by cutting my beard which I had kept in compliance with Shariah. It is also an insult to the sunnah (tradition) of my prophet. I’m feeling humiliated. I’m not able to show my face to anyone. The jailer has outraged my religious sentiment. The incident caused anger among the Muslim community,” said Kalim, who had beard for 8-10 years, in his complaint.
Talking to media, Kalim said he even thought of committing suicide when his beard was cut off.
Local Muslim leaders, who met the collector, said that they demanded from the district magistrate suspension of the jailer because it was an insult to their religion and prophet. “We will not tolerate this insult. That’s why we demand the suspension of the jailer,” said a local leader.
Meanwhile, the incident also drew angry reaction from a Muslim leader. Bhopal MLA Arif Masood met Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra and demanded strict action against the culprits.
“This is a dangerous incident. It is a blot on Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh had no such environment. I met home minister Narottam Mishra and he assured me that he will take quick action in the incident. And, he also assured that such action will not be repeated in the state,” said Masood.
He also submitted a memorandum to Mishra and hoped that Mishra will take action in this regard.
This story was originally published in clarionindia.net . Read the full story here