Ahead of Eid-al-Adha (Bakrid), a 2014 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh Niyaz Ahmed Khan courted controversy through his tweets. His tweets on vegetarianism and avoiding bloodshed of animals have not gone down well with Muslim clerics and religious leaders.
He also took a dig at Muslims of Arab countries saying that they have no concern over environment. He said that Muslims of Arab countries splurge money.
“Muslims of non Arab countries can become modern only after keeping distance with them,” he tweeted.
A day before also Niyaz shared tweets on social media platform X in which he said that not only humans but everyone on earth should be protected. Bloodshed of animals is not appropriate from anywhere.
“On the occasion of World Environment Day, my appeal is that everyone should adopt vegetarianism. The God (Allah) who pleases with Qurbani will also be pleased with the fact that how much you love animals,” he tweeted.
Khan clarified that he is not against any religion.
“I am not against any religion or tradition. This is a democratic country and everyone has right to follow own tradition. I am a vegetarian. Thats's why I am batting for it,” he said.
In a strong reaction to his tweet, All India Muslim Festival Committee (AIFC) has condemned the statement of Khan.
“We regret that Niyaz Khan is making such statements just before a festival like Bakrid. Statements that defame Islam are unacceptable. The Muslim community will not tolerate this. There is a BJP government, so the officials here are taking BJP's stance. Khan should contest elections on BJP ticket,” said patron of AIFC Shamshul Hasan.
Who is Niyaz Khan?
Niyaz Khan is serving as deputy secretary in PWD department of Madhya Pradesh government. He is scheduled to retire in October this year.
An officer promoted from state civil services, Khan has courted several controversies in past for his progressive thinking and pro Hindu writings. In his latest book – Brahmin the Great – he has written that Brahmins have a super brain. He said that if Brahmins are given intellectual leadership in every field, if they are made advisers then things can improve within the country. He said that he appreciates Brahmins for their abilities and merit.
Recently, he courted controversy when he urged the Muslim brothers to look after cows and adopt vegetarianism. He said that they should not force non-Muslims to convert to Islam.
A post graduate in English literature, he has written eight books. In one of his books – Talaq, Talaq, Talaq – he criticised the practice of triple talaq. The book was boycotted by Maulvis and clerics and several copies were burnt at mosques in Guna and Bhopal.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
