Kolkata: Barkati officially removed as Tipu Sultan mosque's Imam
"Maulana Barkati was appointed as the Imam of Tipu Sultan mosque to lead the prayer everyday and neither his recruitment nor his post was political," Arif Ahmed, trustee chairman of Prince Gulam Muhammad Wakaf Estate, said during a press conferences at Kolkata Press Club.
"As his recent remarks were very shameful for Muslim community and derogatory for national interests, we have served a termination notice to him today with an immediate effect. He is no longer an Imam of Tipu Sultan mosque from today onwards," Arif Ahmed added.
"Our trustee committee is set up by the Calcutta High Court and we have sent the termination notice, following all legal norms. Barkati can challenge us legally in Calcutta High Court," Ahmed said.
Week ago, Barkati triggered huge controversy after he refused to remove red beacon from his vehicle, when Central government's ban on lal batti has come into effect since May 1.
"West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee gave me permission to use red beacon on my car and it's a heritage practice as erstwhile British government gave permission to my ancestors to use lal batti," Barkati claimed.
"I won't accept Central government's ban on lal batti," he told reporters.
Later Imam Barkati drew flak when he expressed his wish to fight for Pakistan.
"If RSS has plans to make India a Hindu country, we will protest and fight against it. Then give us Pakistan, we will fight for Pakistan," Barkati said.
Following his remarks, at least two complaints were lodged against Barkati at different police stations in Kolkata and its adjoining Hooghly district and cabinet minister and the state secretary of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, hit out Imam Barkati over his 'anti-national' statements.
Later on Saturday, after being directed by state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the city police officials detached the red beacon from his vehicle, according to sources.
However, Tipu Sultan Mosque's trustee officials said that they are looking for the next Imam for the mosque and he will be appointed soon.
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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