Bangalore: JD(S) MLA Zameer Ahmed Smashes Table at Haj Ghar Ceremony

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jan 16: The foundation laying ceremony of 'Haj Ghar' near Yelahanka here on Sunday January 15 was marred by a sudden burst of protest from JD(S) MLA Zameer Ahmed, who was angry over Jaffer Sharief's name not being given priority at the function.

Zameer pushed around a table, and hit it against the ground, causing its glass top to break into pieces. He also threw chairs and broke a glass containing water.

The incident occured when secretary in the department of minority welfare department Syed Zameer Pasha was welcoming guests in the order of their names in the invitation as per protocol. Zameer demanded to give precedence to former railway minister Jaffer Sharief over others as he is a senior Muslim leader. When Pasha continued to invite guests as per the invitation, Zameer got angry, and smashed the table to the ground.

Supporters of Jaffer Sharief too joined in the protest and shouted slogans.

Chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, home minister R Ashok and other dignitaries on the dais were taken aback by this sudden development. Jaffer Sharief, who then rose to Zameer’s rescue, requested everyone to excuse Zameer for this behaviour. “Zameer is my fan. That is why he got angry. Everyone should maintain peace,” he requested.

In his address thereafter, the CM said he was hurt by this incident, and advised the concerned to exercise restraint. While inviting legislators and MPs from minority communities to discuss with him about their problems prior to the preparation of the budget, he warned that Zameer will not be allowed to discuss the issues, if he tries to behave in this way there too.

Zameer had in the past too, shown unruly behaviour in the assembly when he tried to stand on the table of the speaker after deriding him during the election of speaker K G Bopaiah, and again during the movement of no-confidence motion against Yeddyurappa-led government.

The new Haj Ghar, a long-standing demand of Muslims in the state, will be built at a total cost of Rs 40 crore. The government has already released Rs 12 crore for the project.