Slogans in praise of slain gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed raised in Bihar's Patna

Slogans in praise of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, gangsters turned politicians who were slain before camera while in police custody at Prayagraj last week, were on Friday heard close to largest mosque in Bihar capital.

A statement by Mohd Faisal Imam, who heads managing committee of Jama Masjid here, was shared by Patna district administration on social media, in an obvious attempt to keep passions under control, especially in view of Eid ul Fitr festivities on Saturday.

“ matter relating to Atiq Ahmed pertains to Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar government has ensured excellent law and order”, Imam told reporters who had made a dash to crowded mosque, situated adjacent to Patna Junction, upon learning about shouting of slogans after prayers.

Rajiv Mishra, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, told PTI: “We have t made any arrests or detentions in connection with incident. But we are taking all preventive measures that may be required in view of situation”.

crowd at mosque was larger than usual, unsurprisingly because it happened to be last “Jumma” (Friday) of holy month of Ramzan.

In a video that has gone viral, a section of crowd can be seen chanting slogans in praise of slain men and deuncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

BJP was quick to blame slogan-shouting on “Muslim appeasement politics” of ruling Mahagathbandhan in Bihar, which includes Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), RJD, Congress and Left.

“Slogans calling a criminal like Atiq a martyr were raised in heart of city. This shows a complete administrative failure. It also shows that given a free hand, Nitish Kumar, with help of RJD, Congress and Left will t shy away from turning Bihar into a Pakistan where pro-PFI elements would rule roost and implement Talibani law”, state BJP spokesman Nikhil Anand said in a statement.

Atiq Ahmed, a former MP, and Ashraf, an ex-MLA, were shot dead by three gun-toting youths who raised religious slogans while opening fire and handed mselves over to police afterwards last week.

bror duo was wanted in a number of serious criminal cases, most famous of se being assassination of BSP MLA Raju Pal, who was gunned down in January 2005, barely three months after snatching away Allahabad West seat, a pocket borough of Ahmed, who had won it five times on trot before getting elected to Lok Sabha from Phulpur.

Meanwhile, BJP's allegations were rebutted by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) which accused saffron party of playing up Atiq Ahmed issue because he “belonged to a particular religious community”.

“Atiq Ahmed was a dreaded criminal who was t respected even by men of his own faith. Slogans glorifying him can never be condoned, though we do t kw who were involved in raising se. But let BJP t act too incent. It must admit that it had hobbbed with Atiq when it was politically convenient”, alleged JD(U) MLC and chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar.

“Is it t a fact that BJP had sought Atiq's support during voting in Parliament on Indo-US nuclear deal? Would its leaders of those days, some of whom are w in Margadarshak Mandal, apologise?” asked Kumar.

He was referring to -confidence motion Congress-led UPA had faced in 2008 after Left Front withdrew its support following differences with n Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over inking pact with United States.

Samajwadi Party had come out in support of UPA, enabling government to survive, though Ahmed, who was n an SP MP, along with a few ors, cross-voted against ruling coalition.

RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari also dismissed BJP's allegation that slogans deted a deterioration in law and order, for which his party is often targeted.

“I do t kw who raised what type of slogans. But I am confident that administration will take swift action in accordance with our leader and Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav's clear signals that criminal activities will be tolerated,” Tiwari said.

Meanwhile, police said it has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that Eid festivities go off peacefully.

“Altoger 350 sensitive points have been identified across state. se will be manned by police personnel, assisted by state armed forces, central paramilitary forces and Home Guards. re will be an adequate deployment of forces at places like Gandhi Maidan at Patna, where a large namaz congregation takes place on occasion of Eid,” a statement issued by Police Headquarters said.