Delhi Minorities Commission Chairman Zaraful Islam Booked Under Sedition Charges Over Controversial Tweet

Delhi Police's special cell has booked the chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission Zaraful Islam Khan under charges of sedition for making 'provocative' remarks in his social media posts for which he had later issued an apology, reports Hindustan Times.

The FIR against Khan had been filed by a resident of New Delhi's Vasant Kunj who has stressed in his complaint to the Delhi police that Khan's social media post contained provocative content intended to cause disharmony and create a rift in the society.

In his post, Khan hailed Islamic Salafi-jihadist preacher Zakir Naik, whose preaching is banned in various countries, who is linked to many terrorism incidents, and is wanted in India for criminal activities. Furthermore, the Interpol has also issued a red corner notice (RCN) against him.

As if this wasn’t enough, Khan warned that if Indian Muslims are pushed to complain to the Arab world about “hate campaigns, lynchings and riots”, then the Hindutva "bigots will face an avalanche”.

After Khan's communal remarks had set off a controversy, he had issued a statement in which he claimed to acknowledge that his post was 'ill-timed' and 'insensitive' in the view of nation's ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.