India: Ahmadiyya writer’s speech in Pune cancelled after protesters allege his views are heretical

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A protestor identified as Zahed Bhai, who led the demonstrators, claimed that Ahmed insults the Islamic faith. “We had informed the police much earlier and had given a complaint about it.”

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Scroll.in
By Scroll Staff | January 6, 2019

Ahmadiyya writer Basharat Ahmed’s speech at the 12th Akhil Bhartiya Muslim Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Pune on Friday was cancelled because of protests, the Hindustan Times reported on Saturday. The demonstrators claimed that Ahmed’s views were heretical and critical of Islam.

“Basharat Ahmed has been associated with the Muslim Sahitya Parishad for the past 25 years and has published a number of books,” said Azim Shaikh, the coordinator of the conference. “He has decided to stay away from the conference owing to the protests.”
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Police Inspector Chandrakant Bhosle told the Hindustan Times that the police have put up a notice under Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code – which relates to unlawful assembly – at Azam Campus, where the event was scheduled to take place.

“The Muslim community members had an objection to the speech of Ahmed and they voiced their protest,” he said. “The organizers have told them that Ahmed’s speech has been cancelled.” The police have not registered a case against anybody, he added.

A protester identified as Zahed Bhai, who led the demonstrators, claimed that Ahmed insults the Islamic faith. “We had informed the police much earlier and had given a complaint about it,” he said, adding that the organizers should not have invited Ahmed.

Ahmed dismissed the allegations against him. “I belong to the Ahmadiyya sect which is officially recognized as non-Muslims in Pakistan,” he said. “The protesters want the same rule to be applied here in Pune. I deny all the allegations made against me as I am a religious person.” He said the organizers of the conference and the police advised him to stay away.

Pune Mayor Mukta Tilak, state minister Girish Bapat, Muslim Rashtriya Manch Pune chief Latif Magdum and several scholars of Islam spoke at the conference.

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