Srinagar, July 02: After a gap of three months since the alleged forcible conversion of a Haryana resident at Dargah Hazratbal in Srinagar, former Imam and Khateeb Dr. Kamal Farooqui Tuesday said that he is innocent and is being unfairly implicated in the case for personal reasons.
Meanwhile J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Dr Darakshan Andrabi rejected his claims of Dr Kamal and stated they did not need his services anymore as he was using the platform for personal benefits.
Addressing the presser in Habak Srinagar, Dr Kamal said that on April 02, a congregation of two lakh devotees assembled at Hazratbal Shrine for prayers on Jamat-ul-Vida.
“During this event, in my capacity as Imam, I asked a non-local person whether he was converting to Islam under pressure, coercion, threat, or any kind of fear. In response, he (Sandeep Kumar) announced that he was doing so out of his “own free will and consent,” he said.
Dr Kamal said that during this announcement, Waqf employees of the Hazratbal unit, along with the administrator, police personnel, Naib Imam and other people were present on the dais alongside this non-local person. I administered a transparent and clear recitation of the Kalimah-e-Shahadah under Muslim Fiqh before the congregation. There was no personal thing involved in this matter,” he said.
“I acknowledge that there were some Islamic slogans but Friday prayers ended peacefully. On the same day, I received a notice from J&K Waqf Board, who informed me I was debarred from leading the prayers as Imam-u-Khateeb at the Hazratbal Shrine,” Dr Kamal said.
Later on, the Waqf Board constituted a three-member committee to investigate this matter of conversion and directed the committee to furnish the report within seven days from the date of the notice.
“I have since deposed before the committee and provided them with the details about this conversion in writing. Prior to this, the police summoned me to their station for questioning, which lasted nearly three and a half hours. They cooperated with me and were satisfied with my response,” he said.
Dr. Kamal said that even in the FIR that was registered at PS Nigeen, there was no mention of name. But “I am barred from leading prayers at the shrine”, he said.
“Three months have elapsed, and my restoration as Imam-u-Khateeb of Hazratbal Shrine has not yet been ordered by the Waqf Board. The Waqf Board has no mandate to interfere with personal faith and religious practices,” he added.
Quoting Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, Dr Kamal said that every individual has the freedom to practice, profess, and propagate any religion.
“After I was removed, around 4000 people from various parts of Kashmir visited my place. There has also been a decrease in the number of devotees visiting the shrine,” he claimed.
He further said that he has been always advocating peace in Kashmir and was also part of G20 and Mann Ki Baat event in Srinagar.
Reacting to allegations of Dr. Kamal, Chairperson Waqf Board Dr Darakshan Andrabi said he was temporary Imam and there is no need to restore his position back at the Hazratbal Shrine.
“He is no longer Imam at the shrine and tried to disturb the peaceful atmosphere at the shrine. There could have been a law and order situation,” she said.
Dr. Andrabi further said before reformation of Waqf Board, Mufti Fareed Ahmad, who was Dr. Kamal’s close relative appointed him in 2019 without following the proper procedure.
“He was appointed as temporary imam for leading Friday prayers and was not permanent Imam. While former Imam Mohammad Syed Farooqi was removed by Dr Kamal’s conspiracy,” she alleged.
Dr. Andrabi also claimed that after removing Dr. Kamal from Imam post, there has been an increase in the number of devotees visiting the shrine from various parts of the country.
About allegations of barring Dr Kamal from offering prayers at shrine, the waqf chairperson said it is totally fabricated.
“Anyone can pray at Dargah Hazratbal but no one is allowed to disturb the peaceful atmosphere. We need those people who want peace in Kashmir,” she added.
Earlier on April 03, Jammu and Kashmir registered FIR no. 55/2024 at Police Station Nigeen under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including disobedience to lawful order, deliberate intent to wound religious feelings, giving provocation with intent to cause riot, and promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc,” he said.
According to the FIR, Sandeep Kumar is a resident of Haryana, and embraced Islam during Friday prayers at the Hazratbal shrine.
“The dissemination of this video has led to public unrest and raised apprehensions about religious harmony and tolerance. It has also drawn reactions beyond the borders of Jammu and Kashmir, potentially fuelling sectarianism and communal discord,” the police said.
As per Police investigation Sandeep was reportedly mentally manipulated by the owner of the house, Anayat Muntazir, a resident of Nowhatta.
“Anayat, who employed Sandeep as a domestic worker at his residence in Srinagar, allegedly coerced him into reciting the Kalima during congregational prayers at the Hazratbal shrine to convert his religion,” he said.
