Prominent Dalit leader and Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad MP has strongly condemned the arrest of Maulana Shabbir Ahmad, manager of Alfarooq Inter College in Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh, labeling it a “chintajnak misaal” (worrying precedent) that threatens social harmony and administrative impartiality.
Azad accused the Uttar Pradesh government of orchestrating a politically motivated arrest based on a four-year-old dispute, alleging that the move is driven by BJP leaders and aimed at harassing an individual known for promoting religious education and communal harmony.
The arrest has sparked outrage among activists and civil society, who are calling for an unbiased investigation into the matter.
In a statement posted on X, Azad questioned the timing and intent behind the arrest, stating, “We ask Chief Minister @myogiadityanath ji, if the case dates back to 2020, why was no complaint lodged until now? Is this a religious matter, or a personal vendetta masked as a conspiracy? The sudden accusation of religious conversion, without new evidence, raises serious doubts about administrative fairness.”
His remarks underscore the growing concerns over the use of anti-conversion laws in the state.
The arrest stems from a complaint lodged by an individual named Akhand Pratap Singh who applied for a job at Alfarooq Inter College in 2020 but was not hired. Four years later, in 2025, the same complainant has resurfaced, alleging forced religious conversion by Maulana Shabbir Ahmad, a respected figure known for his contributions to education and interfaith dialogue.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com. Read the full story here.