BHOPAL: A Muslim organisation has urged the Madhya Pradesh administration to reconsider permission for a programme of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi scheduled in Bhopal on September 15, citing concerns over law and order and communal harmony during the ongoing Ganesh festival.
The Madhya Pradesh Muslim Tyohar Committee, which describes itself as a non-political organisation, submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the Bhopal collector and police officials, seeking a review of the permission for the event at the Central Library.
The organisation said Owaisi’s programme could draw a large crowd and add to traffic pressure in the area, which already witnesses heavy footfall during the festival.
It also expressed apprehension that any remark perceived as provocative or hurtful to religious sentiments could create tension.
Committee state president Zeeshan Rehman Shanu said the organisation conducts religious processions and other community activities.
The committee cited the earlier denial of permission for programmes involving former Hyderabad BJP MLA T Raja Singh on law-and-order grounds and urged the administration to follow similar standards in Owaisi’s case.
The organisation said its appeal was aimed at safeguarding Bhopal’s peace, communal harmony and “Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb”. It urged authorities to deny permission if they apprehended a breach of peace or impose appropriate restrictions if the programme was allowed.
AIMIM Madhya Pradesh president Mohsin Ali Khan could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.