Condemnation of the Arrest of Zafar Ali Advocate, President of Sambhal’s Jama Masjid

“Law and order in Uttar Pradesh are being endangered by the police themselves” – Feroz Ahmed Advocate

New Delhi: The arrest of Zafar Ali Advocate, President of the Administrative Committee of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid, under false charges is highly condemnable. The duty of the police is to uphold law and justice and ensure peace in society, but unfortunately, the Uttar Pradesh police repeatedly disrupt law and order and harm social harmony. The arrest of a respected personality of Sambhal, a well-known lawyer, and the head of the Jama Masjid management is the latest example of this attitude.
Feroz Ahmed Advocate, President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, stated today that just as there was widespread condemnation of a statement made by a Sambhal police officer during the Holi festival, the police have now arrested Zafar Ali Advocate, causing unrest and immense anger among the city’s lawyers. The Uttar Pradesh police are repeatedly testing the patience of the state’s Muslim community.
Mr. Ahmed further said that under the guise of surveying the Shahi Masjid in Sambhal, the police, in collusion with communal elements, instigated violence, leading to the killing of innocent youths. This has tarnished India’s democratic image globally.
Zafar Ali Advocate, the head of the Jama Masjid Committee, was arrested on Sunday on charges of conspiring in the November 24 riots and other allegations. The city was turned into a cantonment for this purpose. Forces from multiple police stations were called to the Sambhal police station. Several companies of the PAC and RRF were deployed. Security forces were stationed at key locations across the city, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
The environment being created by the police and the government in Sambhal is causing irreparable damage to social fabric, peace and stability in the state.