Vulgar celebration costs Wakf parishad vice-chairman his job

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 2

The objectionable way of celebration of the nomination of Rao Sajjad Khan as vice-chairman of the Uttarakhand Wakf Vikas Parishad has cost him the job. The state government yesterday sacked him following reports of a vulgar dance and an open show of firearms by him at a function organised to celebrate his appointment.

The government in a bid to influence Muslim votes in Haridwar district had formed an organisation called the Uttarakhand Wakf Vikas Parishad to suggest ways and means to save and augment the income of wakf properties in the state. It appointed local leader Rao Sajjad Khan, a supporter of Chief Minister Harish Rawat, as its vice-chairman last week.

However, the celebratory function held at Dandhera in Haridwar district on Sunday proved to be his undoing. Rao Sajjad was seen throwing currency notes on bar dancers, who were regaling the audience with raunchy Bollywood numbers, at the function. Interestingly, Rao Sajjad was seen holding a revolver and throwing currency notes. There were reports that he also fired into the air. Congress MLA from Khanpur Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion was also present.

The reports and pictures of Rao Sajjad throwing currency notes with a revolver in his hand were widely reported in the print and electronic media. Chief Minister Harish Rawat was incensed at the incident as Muslim clerics condemned it. They criticised the government for appointing a person who was probably not aware of the importance of ‘wakf’, which are endowments owned by Almighty Allah. They said such vulgar dances and firearm display have no place in Islam.

In a damage control exercise, the government sacked Rao Sajjad on the fourth day of his appointment and directed the Haridwar District Magistrate to inquire into the matter. Meanwhile, Sunjay Gunjial, IGP, Garhwal range, has taken a serious note of the celebratory firing during the function and directed the Haridwar SSP to confiscate Rao Sajjad’s licensed revolver.

A sheepish Rao Sajjad said villagers had organised the celebrations and he would abide by the CM’s directives.