Congress MLA Aftabuddin Mollah has been arrested for making derogatory remarks against Hindu priests and saints. He was arrested from Guwahati late on Tuesday.
“The arrested Congress leader has been identified as Aftabuddin Mollah, a sitting MLA from Jaleswar Assembly constituency (Assam),” a senior police official told ANI.
Deepak Kumar Das, a resident of Barpeta district, had lodged an FIR against him at Dispur police station. Based on the FIR, the Guwahati Police registered a case against Mollah under sections 295A, 153A1/b, and 505/2 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Mollah allegedly made the remarks during an event in Goalpara on November 4. “Wherever there is a Rape, always a “Sadhu” (Hindu Priest) or “Namghoria” (care taker of Vaisnav Prayer House) are involved. They blame Muslims to hide their own sins committed by Hindu Priests,” Mollah reportedly said.
Assam Congress president Bhupen Bora had issued a show cause notice against Mollah on November 5 over the hateful remarks. “On the 4th of November 2023, at a public meeting held in Goalpara district, you delivered a highly obnoxious comment in your speech about priests, namgharias and saints, which has drawn strong reactions from the people of Assam,” Bora wrote.
