The intra-community rift amongst Dawoodi Bohras continues with the most recent clash at Raudat Tahera mausoleum in Bhendi Bazaar, Wednesday, when a group of over 30 supporters of Khuzaima Qutbuddin reached the mausoleum for ziyarat (visit) to mark Qutbuddin's birthday. The visitors allege that they were manhandled by Burhani guards, working under the administration of current Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The incident happened at 8.30 am Wednesday morning. Shabbir Tambawala, who joined the break-away group of Qutbuddin following 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin's death, claimed that despite being accompanied by JJ police station's officials, they were shoved around in the mausoleum where the bodies of the 51st and 52nd Dai have been buried for community members to pay their respects. Qutbuddin, former Syedna's half-brother, is the rival claimant to the title of 53rd Syedna that is currently held by Saifuddin, his nephew. The community has been left divided following the fallout between the former Syedna's family. On Wednesday, 65-year-old Haider Calcuttawala, who was also a part of the group that visited the mausoleum, was “pushed to the ground”. “When I stepped out in protest, I was kicked,” said Tambawala, adding that he visited the mausoleum everyday when Syedna Burhanuddin was alive and had to shift to Thane following his decision to support Qutbuddin. Another Qutbuddin supporter, who requested anonymity, said, “The police officials came inside and helped us out.” A non-cognizable report was filed at JJ police station after the incident. According to Tasneem Mansoor, the complainant, the guards, in their civilian clothes, pushed her while she attempted to pay her respects to the graves. The complaint said that they were “verbally abused and manhandled”. Spokesperson from Saifuddin's administration remained unavailable for comment.
