Trinamool MP claims ignorance of PFI invitation to anti-CAA rally

Trinamool Congress MP Abu Taher Khan has claimed ignorance of an invitation to address an anti-Citizenship law rally organised by Islamic organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on January 5.

Speaking to news agency PTI, the outfit’s state general secretary said, “We are organising a rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Murshidabad on January 5 and have invited several speakers, including Murshidabad TMC MP Abu Taher Khan. He has given his consent to be a part of this protest program.”

However, Khan refuted such reports and said he has not received an invitation from the PFI and that his name was used on their posters without his permission. “I have neither received any invitation from PFI nor have I given consent to be present in any such programme. If the outfit is using my name without my consent, then it is unethical,” he told PTI.

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Moreover, reports suggest Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed the police to keep the PFI “under control”.

When asked whether PFI has received permission from the police for the protest meeting, Sheikh said it has submitted an application to the district police but are yet to get a response. “We have submitted a letter today (Thursday) and are hopeful of getting permission. Both the TMC and PFI are on the same page on this issue as we are opposing NRC and CAA,” the PFI leader said.

The Uttar Pradesh Police suspected PFI’s involvement in the statewide violent protests against the CAA and sought a ban on the outfit.

UP DGP OP Singh had earlier said the state police has written to the Union Home ministry, seeking a ban on PFI after its Uttar Pradesh head Wasim and 16 other activists were arrested for allegedly masterminding the violence during anti-CAA protests in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)