HC to hear PIL challenging anointment of Bukhari’s son
19 Nov 2014 11:49 PM GMT
The Delhi High Court will on Wednesday hear a PIL against Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari challenging the anointment of his son as the next chief cleric. The matter would be taken up for consideration by a division bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw. The petition filed by advocate V K Anand said that Shahi Imam had announced on 30 October that his 19-year-old son would succeed him as the next Shahi Imam and the ceremony of ‘Dastarbandi’ would be held on 22 November.
The plea alleges that the Shahi Imam was a public post and not the ‘personal property’ of Syed Ahmed Bukhari and IMAMAT (the position of a divinely-appointed leader) is not transferable. ‘It is submitted the position of an Imam is a public position and is connected with the sentiments and emotions of the entire community.
Therefore, such an important position cannot be inherited by birth,’ the plea said. It also contends Bukhari is merely an employee of the Delhi Wakf Board which is the only authority to choose and appoint the next Imam of Jama Masjid.
The plea alleges that the Shahi Imam was a public post and not the ‘personal property’ of Syed Ahmed Bukhari and IMAMAT (the position of a divinely-appointed leader) is not transferable. ‘It is submitted the position of an Imam is a public position and is connected with the sentiments and emotions of the entire community.
Therefore, such an important position cannot be inherited by birth,’ the plea said. It also contends Bukhari is merely an employee of the Delhi Wakf Board which is the only authority to choose and appoint the next Imam of Jama Masjid.
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