Assam Police arrested radical Islamic preacher Mufti Mukhibur Rahman Azhari for his inflammatory statements against the authorities on Tuesday, 2nd July. He was apprehended by the Darrang district police on the directives of Director General of Police G P Singh after a provocative video of the accused went viral on social media which included a demand for a violent protest against the Lakhimpur police station and the superintendent of police.
Azhari planned for the gherao (encirclement) of the Lakhimpur Police Station on 6th July and made threats to organize large agitations to cause disruptions to daily life in the state between 6th and 10th July.
Mufti Mukibur Rahman Azhari from Assam calls for violence in the State after a man pleaded not to kill Gauvansh during Eid, Mufti arrested.
— Treeni (@TheTreeni) July 3, 2024
Darrang, Assam: Police detained controversial Islamist Mufti Mukibur Rahman Azhari from Assam following provocative comments and… pic.twitter.com/QLRGsIDTJJ
The remarks transpired after an Islamic cleric Mustafa Kamal previously appealed that cow sacrifice is not required by Islam and noted that while sacrifice is significant, it was never stated in Islam that cows should be the sole animals sacrificed. Islamists in Assam disapproved and condemned the cleric’s comments. Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika also expressed his outrage over threats made by Mufti Mukibur Rahman Azhari in a social media post.
Minister Hazarika wrote, “All this because during Eid, a person from the minority community had appealed to the people not to sacrifice cows. It is unimaginable that such a benign appeal could flare hatred that he is now challenging Assam Police in a live video and calling for violence Is this where Assam is going today?”
Look at the audacity!
— Pijush Hazarika (@Pijush_hazarika) July 1, 2024
This person belonging to a special community is giving Open Threat to gherao Lakhimpur Police Station on July 6. He is also threatening to come out with large number of people from July 6 to 10 and disrupt normal life.
All this because during Eid, a… pic.twitter.com/iOeIqdFxE1
The mufti during a Facebook live session was heard declaring that he would gherao Lakhimpur police station and the residence of that “devil” (Mustafa Kamal) between the 6th and 10th of July, and boasted that many others voiced their intention to join him. Mukhibur Rahman Azhari announced, “I’m eager to find out how brave that person is. I came in for a live session since I received a call from someone at Uttar Lakhimpur Police Station today. During the break, I will give you his phone number. He enquired as to my identity. I was asked not to come on the 6th. I replied that if you were the OC (officer in charge), you could have my word that I would show up on the day, Insha’allah.”
The radical Islamist further challenged that even a phone call from the SP (Superintendent of Police) or DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) wouldn’t be able to suspend his plans.
Abusing Mustafa Kamal, he said, “I would still go Insha’allah. That man has started this game and it is his last. I would put an end to the game. I work very hard to propagate Islam. Now, you insult Islam? You abuse Rasool (Prophet Muhammad). He pronounced Rasool to be Shaitaan. I’ll leave even if they cut my legs or break my hands. I’ll go, no matter which police he calls. I earn 3 to 4 lakh a month. This man only earns through RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh). He can file a case for defamation, but it is true. He had met a Bangladeshi atheist also. He is 100% RSS.”
Azhari once again reiterated that nothing would be able to prevent him from launching a jihadi agitation at the police station and alleged, “The affront to Islam and our Rasool is intolerable to me. I will wage a war and protest. You can show my video to the SP. But I will protest according to the constitution. I will create a disturbance. The constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar has granted us the freedom to believe in the Hadith, the Quran, Allah, and Rasool.”
“Who granted him permission? Which RSS provided him permission to disparage our Nabi and Quran? I’m going to grab hold of him. If you disrespect Islam, the Quran, Rasool, or Nabi, we won’t sit silently. We’re not going to be idle. Assam is not your father’s property. I’ll travel to your city and to your area to assess your level of bravery,” Azhari threatened Mustafa Kamal.
Law authorities acted swiftly as the incendiary video gained popularity on social media and arrested Mufti Mukibur Rahman Azhari on 2nd July. The Dhula police station opened case 97/24 against him which has been brought before the Mangaldoi court. In an effort to prevent any more disturbance, authorities are also keeping a close eye on the situation.
