The Association for the Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Gujarat has condemned the controversial entry of Bhavesh Patel, also known as Muktanand Swami, into the historic Juma Masjid in Bharuch, which took place under police protection. Patel, a convict in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast and an accused in the 2002 Bharuch mosque bombing, reportedly entered the mosque on Sunday, igniting communal tensions in the area.
Patel’s actions, including climbing onto the mosque’s dome, have been described as provocative and offensive to the sentiments of the Muslim community. The APCR has raised concerns regarding the police’s role in enabling such provocations, questioning the appropriateness of granting protection to a convicted offender in a sensitive religious setting.
In response, local imams, elders, and youth leaders submitted a memorandum to the District Superintendent of Police. They are demanding immediate legal action, the cancellation of Patel’s bail in pending cases, and the withdrawal of state protection. The memorandum emphasized the lack of a risk assessment prior to Patel’s entry and criticized the police for facilitating an individual whose past actions have instigated fear and unrest.
“Justice must be immediate and impartial; no individual with a history of violence and terrorism should be allowed to disrupt religious sanctity,” stated the APCR, stressing the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies. The association further highlighted the necessity of maintaining communal harmony by holding state authorities and offenders responsible for such provocative acts.
A fact-finding team from APCR Gujarat, including members Ikram Mirza, Advocate Aamir Shaikh, and Aasif Chipa, visited the Juma Masjid to meet with community leaders and document their concerns. They have called on civil society, human rights organizations, and citizens dedicated to constitutional values to urge the Gujarat government to implement protective measures for religious institutions.
“Religious spaces must not be compromised, and provocative actions by those with a history of violence should not be shielded by state machinery,” they asserted.
Bhavesh Patel has a longstanding history of involvement in violent incidents, including the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast, which resulted in three deaths and injured 15 individuals, primarily Muslim pilgrims, during the holy month of Ramadan. He received a life sentence in 2017; however, he was granted bail by the Rajasthan High Court the following year. After his release, Patel adopted the name Swami Muktanand and donned saffron robes, claiming affiliation with right-wing organizations such as the RSS and VHP. His return to Bharuch was met with a celebratory reception from members of these organizations, drawing further scrutiny and criticism.
The APCR’s statement emphasized the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard mosques, dargahs, and other religious institutions from communal targeting in the future.
The post APCR Gujarat condemns police-protected entry of mosque blast convict Bhavesh Patel into Bharuch Juma Masjid first appeared on Maktoob Media.
Tags: Bhavesh Patel, mosque blast convict, Bharuch Juma Masjid, police protection, APCR Gujarat
Hashtags: #APCR #Gujarat #condemns #policeprotected #entry #mosque #blast #convict #Bhavesh #Patel #Bharuch #Juma #Masjid
