A Muslim businessman has been arrested in the western Indian state of Maharashtra for supporting the Pakistan cricket team in a match. Along with him, his wife and teenage child have also been arrested by the police.
Moreover, his shop has been demolished using a bulldozer. The administration of the BJP-led state took this action against him for supporting Pakistan and chanting slogans during the Champions Trophy match against India.
On Wednesday (February 26), this information was reported by Indian media outlets Hindustan Times and Business Standard.
According to the reports, the victimized Muslim businessman from Maharashtra is named Kitabulah Hamidullah Khan. The 38-year-old businessman supported Pakistan during the cricket match against India in Dubai last Sunday. For this act, the businessman faced the wrath of the Maharashtra administration in Sindhudurg, a district in BJP-led Maharashtra.
After the Pakistan-India match on Sunday, Kitabulah Hamidullah Khan, a resident of Malvan Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra, and his family members were arrested by the police on Tuesday. Later, his shop was demolished using a bulldozer.
The action was taken by the Malvan Municipal Corporation and the police based on a complaint by BJP legislator Nilesh Rane, as reported by the media. Nilesh, the son of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane, posted pictures and video footage on social media of the bulldozer demolishing Kitabulah’s shop.
According to the media, Kitabulah, a second-hand goods trader, allegedly shouted “Pakistan Zindabad” (Long Live Pakistan) after Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma got out during the Champions Trophy match last Sunday. This created “tension” in the area.
The matter was reported to the Malvan Police Station , local legislator Nilesh was informed. Subsequently, the police and administration became active. In response to the complaint, Kitabulah Hamidullah Khan, his wife Ayesha (35), and their 15-year-old son were arrested.
Additionally, various charges have been filed against this Muslim family, including spreading hostility among religious communities.
However, in November of last year, the Supreme Court of India ruled that even if a person is guilty, their property cannot be demolished by the police or administration using a bulldozer. In this case, there are allegations of non-compliance with the court’s order.
LND/S H
