Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (AM)
Mangaluru, Mar 22: Putting rumours to rest about his alleged conversion to Hinduism in Pejawar Swamiji's presence, BJP state vice-president for minorities Rahim Uchil on Wednesday, March 22 said that certain people in the city were threatening and trying to kill him.
Addressing mediapersons in a press meet here, he said, "I have the good fortune of being associated with the head of Pejawar Math Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji for the last 25 years. The last time I met him, he presented me a shawl, gave me prasadam and blessed me. I had uploaded the pictures on my Facebook page. A few miscreants have edited the pictures and spread rumours that I was unhappy in my religion and thus got myself converted to Hinduism. The pictures have gone viral on social media. There are even allegations that I accepted Hinduism for power and money.
"The root cause for the post in social media alleging my conversion to Hindusim is the page 'Mangalore Muslims' on Facebook. The handlers of the page have edited and posted my pictures with misleading tag-lines. They are saying that I bowed my head before Pejawar Swami and gave him the place of Allah. The pictures have spread like wildfire. I have been threatended on Facebook and WhatsApp. There are Qazis everywhere to advise or question me. Who are these people on Facebook to spread rumours about me?" he questioned.
"A real Muslim perform prayers five times a day and fasts during Ramadan. I have done that all my life despite physical disabilities. The reason I bowed my head before Pejawar Swamiji was because he is elder to me. Indian culture tells us to respect elders. When I went to him, Swamiji received me with love and affection. If he was discriminating in nature, why should he welcome me? 'Mangalore Muslims' alleged that I touched his feet. If that is the case, please show me at least one picture proving that," he said.
"I am shocked at the turn of events. I wonder if we are living in a democratic country or under Taliban. I have been repeatedly attacked by people who are against me. That is not all, a few organisations are even planning to eliminate me. As Mangaluru is peaceful, they are trying their best to trigger riots. They are using social media to spread hatred," he alleged.
He also said that he has given a complaint to the police commissioner regarding the issue.
A teary-eyed Rahim also said that police had done nothing to catch the culprits even after he told them about his situation of being threatened and attacked many times in the past. "The police have asked me to get permission from the court to file an FIR. I was attacked by seven people last time right below this building. The CCTV footage clearly showed who the culprits were, but police are unable to punish them to this day. My car was vanadalised last time and again the CCTV footage had evidence. But, police again did nothing. I have even given phone numbers of people threatening me to police, but no action is being taken against them. I have been threatened with phone calls from Pakistan and Kashmir. All they ask me to is quit BJP. I have not attended any personal programmes other than small events of BJP due to fear for life. How can I live my life like this? If police arrest the culprits, that would send a message to all who are plotting against me," he said.
"I do not mind any allegations. But, they are calling me a bad Muslim. Please give me one instance where I had behaved like a bad Muslim. They say I am acting against Allah. This hurts me. All are answerable to Allah some day. He is the only one who will give justice to me," he concluded.
Ashraf, president, Mangaluru Minority Morcha and Asghar, general secretary, Mangaluru Minority Morcha were present.