Lucknow, October 14
Jama Masjid’s Imam Ahmad Bukhari today lost his cool and physically attacked a local journalist who wanted to know why the disputed structure could not be handed over to the Hindus when Muslim rulers had built so many mandirs in the country.

The press conference of the Imam scheduled in the basement of a local hotel turned violent when editor of local newspaper Dastane Awadh Mohammad Wahid Chishti said that according to his sources the disputed land was shown as belonging to Raja Dasrath in the land records of 1528. “As such his heir Ram should inherit the land. Also when Muslim rulers had built so many mandirs, what is the harm in handing over one more mandir to them (Hindus).”

Reacting sharply to this question, Bukhari accused Chishti, who is also the President of the All India Sufi Sant Ekta Samiti, of being a traitor. “It is people like you who want Muslims to give up their right to the Babri Masjid,” he retorted.

Later after the press conference when Bukhari spotted some news channels interviewing Chishti, he and his henchmen charged across the room and physically ejected him out of the venue.

Chishti has lodged a written complaint against the Shahi Imam at the Hazratganj police station. Confirming that a case has been registered against the Shahi Imam, ADG Law and Order Brij Lal said appropriate action would be taken against the guilty after investigation of the complaint.

Responding to a question about his visit to Samajwadi party leader Ahmad Hasan earlier in the day, Bukhari said it was a purely personal visit to offer his condolences to the SP leader who had recently lost his son-in-law.