A PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking removal of Zafarul-Islam Khan from the post of Chairman Delhi Minorities Commission.
The petition has been filed by Mr. Subhash Chandra alleging that Zafarul posted a seditious and hateful comment/post on Facebook.
The post stated, “…Mind you, bigots, Indian Muslims have opted until now not to complain to the Arabs and Muslim world about your hate campaigns and lynching and riots. The day they are pushed to do that, bigots will face an avalanche.”
The petition argues that the said post was provocative, deliberate, and seditious, intended to cause disharmony and create a rift in the society. By making such a hateful statement, Zafarul who is holding such a responsible post has endangered the unity and integrity of the country, tried to tarnish the secular image of India, and spread hatred among two communities.
The petition also refers to the statement of Mr. GhayorulHasanRizvi, Chairman of the National Commission of Minoritieswho termed the public post of the Zafarul as divisive in nature and strict action should be taken against him.
National Minorities Commission stated that “National minorities Commission condemns the statements made by Zafarul Islam which are divisive in nature. Zafarul Islam should not have forgotten that people of all religions have been living in harmony for centuries and have faced all calamities together.”
It has also been alleged that by making the aforesaid seditious and derogatory statement, Zafarulhas abused the position of Chairperson in such a manner that his continuance in office is detrimental to the interests of the minorities as well as to the public interest.
The removal of the chairman has been sought under section 4 (4) (f) of the Delhi Minorities Commission Act, 1999 as he “has abused the position of Chairperson in such a manner that his continuance in office is detrimental to the interests of the minorities as well as to the public interest,” the petition stated.
-India Legal Bureau