Author: SMA Kazmi
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: December 30, 2006
The tremors of a scandal, regarding Haj pilgrimage,
exposed by a private television channel and involving Haj committee members
of many states, were felt in Uttaranchal where chairman of state Haj committee,
Maulana Zahid Raza Rizvi, was allegedly shown taking money for sending people
for pilgrimage.
A delegation of prominent Muslims met Uttaranchal
Chief Minister N D Tiwari today to demand an inquiry into the entire episode
and against the Maulana. Chaudhary Rais Ahmed, of Uttaranchal Wakf Board demanded
that the Maulana who is himself away on pilgrimage should be called back and
punished. He also demanded a CBI inquiry into the scandal.
Interestingly, Maulana Zahid Raza Rizvi's
term as Chairman of Uttaranchal Haj Committee had expired last September,
but he continued to work. Meanwhile, a private television channel conducted
a sting operation wherein they struck a deal with the Maulana for sending
some non-existent people on Haj. The names of such 'persons' were cleared
by the state Haj committee.
Qamar Siddiqui, Chairman of the Minority Cell
of the NCP, alleged that it was a disgrace that religious people have started
accepting bribes for pilgrimage. He demanded that a large number of people
were send from Uttaranchal after taking bribes.
"Only a CBI probe can bring out the truth.
How the Maulana, who was not authorised, could send people by taking money,"
he said. Syed Gauhar Ali, vice-president of Jamait-e-Ulema-e-Hind, too demanded
stern action against all those involved in the scandal.