Kolkata’s Shahi Imam Refuses To Remove Red Beacon, Says He Has Permission From ‘British Government’

Maulana Nurur Rehman Imam Barkati, Shahi Imam of Kolkata’s Tipu Sultan Mosque, has said that he will continue to use a red beacon atop his vehicle as permission for it was granted by the erstwhile ‘British Government’.

"I will remove red beacon once everyone does the same. I will continue to use as I have got permission from British government," Barkati said.

When the reporters clarified that Indian government and not the British government had passed the order, Imam Barkati said, "The Indian government first needs to make its own law, they have not formulated any laws."

The Imam, who has remained in news for one controversial statement or another, is reportedly close to the Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and has shared stage with her on several occasions.

He had issued a fatwa against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of "bluffing" people through demonetisation and offered money to anyone who cuts Modi's beard. He had also threatened to kill Canadian author Tarek Fatah.

The Imam stoked another controversy on Tuesday by warning Muslims against joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and called the supporters of RSS 'eunuchs'. He said Muslim who joins or works for the RSS or the BJP will be banished from the community and beaten up

With inputs from ANI