Ulema Council to hold protest today

This is the second such demonstration organised by the Ulema Council in the last one month. On January 29,a train had brought protestors to Delhi where the council had organised a demonstration at Jantar Mantar,demanding a judicial probe into the Batla House shootout and an end to “harassment” of Muslim youths.

Tahir Madani,co-founder of the Ulema Council and one of the organisers,said: “The objective was to stage a protest against the UP government and its police who are harassing people in the name of action against terrorism. Our protest is not limited to Muslims or the residents of Azamgarh.” Daya Nand Jha,Divisional Railway Manager of North-Eastern Railway in Varanasi,confirmed the group had booked two trains. “The trains have been booked for Rs 19.87 lakh and each has 20 coaches with six sleepers,” he said.

Lucknow District Magistrate and SSP (Law and order) Raghubeer Lal said the Ulema Council has taken the necessary permissions to hold the protest. “Steps have been taken to maintain law and order while they are in Lucknow. We have been informed that people will also arrive in buses too,” said Lal.