Author: Special Correspondent
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: April 18, 2006
Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari
on Tuesday had an ugly scuffle with mediapersons outside Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh's 7, Race Course Road residence when they persisted in questioning him
on the reservation policy. A complaint has been registered at the Chanakyapuri
police station.
The Shahi Imam and his delegation shouted
at and attacked journalists, with the cleric having to be restrained by others
accompanying him. Protesting journalists then surrounded his vehicle and he,
along with his delegation, had to be escorted from the Prime Minister's residence
by the police.
The Shahi Imam lost his cool when mediapersons
insisted that he stay longer to answer their questions. He advanced menacingly
towards a journalist and his supporters roughed up another journalist.
The brawl took place when the imam's supporters
got agitated after a reporter sought his reaction to the UPA government's
recent bid to introduce reservation in all educational institutions. The supporters
also allegedly snatched the mikes of some TV journalists.
The angry mediapersons blocked their way and
did not allow the Imam to leave, and he could leave only after the SPG personnel
posted at the site made way for his vehicle. The complaint registered at the
local police station also states that the Shahi Imam's driver while trying
to flee the spot drove the car over a journalist's feet. The journalist was
rushed to hospital and has suffered a fracture.
Responding to criticism that the SPG, which
remained a mute spectator during the scuffle, PMO sources said the SPG's job
was only to protect the Prime Minister and the law and order under the Delhi
police.
At that time, senior Union ministers were
present at the Prime Minister's residence to attend the Union Cabinet and
CCEA meetings.
Union home minister Shivraj Patil came out
and told the mediapersons, "I will personally look into this. Please
have faith in me." Union science and technology minister Kapil Sibal
said the media had a right to ask provocative questions, as its job was to
get at the truth.
The Shahi Imam had gone to meet Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh to submit a set of recommendations, in the wake of the national
convention of Muslim leaders he had recently organised and he was accompanied
by a delegation of Muslim leaders.
The delegation had several demands, including
Dr Singh's intervention for early arrest of those involved in the Jama Masjid
blasts. These recommendations had been finalised at a national conference
of Muslims.
The imam, who had gone to meet the Prime Minister
to submit a set of recommendations started walking away, after answering a
few questions. However, journalists insisted that he stay longer and this
led to a scuffle.
