High Court moved for the removal of Delhi Minority Commission chief Zafar Ul Islam

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking removal of Zafar Ul Islam from the Delhi Minority Commission chief’s post after a case was registered against him over his alleged seditious remarks.

The plea, filed by Subhash Chandra through Supreme Court advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava, alleged despite holding a responsible post Islam issued a statement inciting foreign attack on India.

“A bare perusal of the aforesaid public statement made by the Respondent No.

4 categorically reveals that Respondent No. 4 has brought hatred and contempt and has excited disaffection towards the sovereignty of India by instigating the foreign countries to wage war against India,” said the plea, which is likely to be heard on May 11.

Islam had on April 28 posted the comments on his Facebook page. “Mind you, bigots, Indian Muslims have opted until now not to complain to the Arab and Muslim world about your hate campaigns, lynching and riots. The day they are pushed to do that, bigots will face an avalanche,” Khan wrote on Facebook.

However, on Friday the Delhi Minorities Commission chief apologised for his remark and had said he never tried to tarnish the image of India, and also removed the post.

“It is respectfully submitted that by making the aforesaid seditious and derogatory statement, the Respondent No. 4 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 said.
“A bare perusal of the aforesaid public statement made by the Respondent No. 4 (Islam) categorically reveals he has deliberately and intentionally promoted enmity between different groups on the ground of religion and has done acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony,” it said.

The Delhi Police’s special cell registered the FIR on the complaint of a Vasant Kunj resident. The complaint came to the Lodhi Colony office of the special cell, after the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Safdarjung Enclave, forwarded it.

The investigation has been handed over to special cell inspector Praveen Kumar.

According to the FIR, Khan has been booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code — 124 A (sedition) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc,).