New Delhi: Hyderabad police on Thursday, November 18, filed an FIR against former Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chairman Wasim Rizvi based on a complaint by MP Asaduddin Owaisi.The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president submitted the complaint on Wednesday, November 17, at the Kamatipura police station and was accompanied by his brother and MLA Akbaruddin, and a delegation of AIMIM legislators.Owaisi’s complaint alleges that Rizvi has used “objectionable language” against Prophet Muhammad in his book, Muhammad. Following our complaint against Wasim Rizvi for creating hatred against Muslims & insulting Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), FIR has been registered and case has been entrusted to SI, Kamatipura PS. We hope that immediate action is taken pic.twitter.com/ccATgwCa5t— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) November 17, 2021 Speaking to The Wire, Owaisi said that the language that Rizvi has used in the book intends to provoke Indian Muslims. He says that there is a “conspiracy” behind Rizvi’s statements and that he is backed by “anti-Islamic forces.”“This is not criticism of Islam or the prophet, peace be upon him. There is a fine line between freedom of speech and sacrilege. People like Rizvi are set up to provoke Muslims until there is some instance of violence. But that did not happen. Instead, the legal route has been taken so that there can be due investigation into the matter,” he said.He added that Rizwi is being emboldened by anti-Islamic organisations to “irk” Muslims by using abusive words for Prophet Muhammad, one of the most significant figures in Islam.Also read: Narsinghanand By His Side, Wasim Rizvi Continues Anti-Muslim Dog Whistling With New BookHe explained, “There are people behind this. Anti-Islamic forces not only back him but also encourage him.” When asked if there is any specific organisation he responsible, Owaisi said there are several ideological and political forces in the play.The book, released on November 4, claims to “expose Islam” and prophet Muhammad in order to purportedly help Muslims “return to humanity.”The complaint submitted to the Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar read, “The book, written in Hindi, vilifies Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by using objectionable language against him, Islam and Muslims.” Further, the complaint said that the objectionable statements have been made with an intent to outrage the religious sentiments of those who abide by Islamic tenets.Rizvi has been booked under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505(1)(c) (incitement).Owaisi has also appealed to Muslims and other peace-loving people of the country to file criminal complaints against Rizvi.
