Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani demanded immediate arrest of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Parveen Togadia for his “anti-Islam” remarks. He also appealed Imams in Jammu and Kashmir particularly Poonch, Rajouri and Doda to lodge their protest and ask all Muslims to raise their voice against it.
Geelani while criticising the state administration said that while on one hand it bans religious functions of Muslims and uses lathis against them; on the other side it gives free rein to “Hindu extremists to hurt the sentiments of Muslims in the state.” Geelani said that after the statement by Parveen Togadia, there is tension in Rajouri and Muslims continue to feel fear. Geelani also expressed concern over the report that on intervening night of 8-9 February there was attack on a mosque and its doors and windows were damaged. Geelani, while calling Parveen Togadia a mentally ill person said that Muslims can tolerate any kind of atrocities but not anything against Islam and its tenets.”