Abdul Nazer Mahdani

Abdul Nasser Mahdani
Personal details
Born Sasthamkotta, Kerala
Nationality Indian
Political party PDP
Spouse(s) Soofiya Madani
Residence Kerala, India
Religion Islam

Abdul Nasser Mahdani also known as Abdul Nasser Maudani or simply Madani or Maudanyppunda (Sasthamkotta, Kerala) is a Muslim political activist from Kerala, India. Madani is suspected to have organized terrorist activities and maintains links with terrorist organizations including Lashkar-e-Toiba.[1][2][3] Following the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, he launched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the stated objective of creating a "Muslim-Dalit-backward caste" alliance under the slogan of "Power to Avarnas and Liberation to The Oppressed".

In 1992, Mahdani became the target of an assassination attempt by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activist, in which he lost his right leg[4] and is fitted with a prosthetic limb.[5][6][7] Mahdani is considered to have become the rallying point in Kerala politics.[8]

Mahdani was alleged of having involvement in 1998 Coimbatore bombings but acquitted of all charges after spending nine and half years in Coimbatore Central Prison.[5][9] Later he is alleged of having involvement in 2008 Bangalore serial blast.[10] He is under judicial custody in relation with the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts. But his involvement is unproven[11] He is not found guilty in any of the cases so far and still behind bars as an undertrial even after 15 years of imprisonment.[12][13]

PDP and its political recognition

At a young age, Mahdani(Maudanypundaiyoli) began delivering sermons at a local mosque in the Kollam district. His oratorical skills were well received, and he soon built up a following.[14] He subsequently formed the Islamic Seva Sangh and later launched the PDP.[14]Communist Party of India (Marxist) forged alliance[15] with PDP at various elections in Kerala state. The PDP also won a few seats in the council elections.[16]

Political Activism

Chengara Solidarity March

Abdul Nasser Mahdani delivered a speech at Chengara Adivasi Protest in support of the struggle in May 2008. He declared the objective of Muslim-Dalit-Adivasi Unity under the banner of "Power to Avarnas and Liberation to The Oppressed"

"I am a committed Muslim and every Muslim has the obligation to support the poor, Adivasis and Dalits...It is my duty to stand by you to fight for your rights..If needed, to be a martyr dying for this cause.."[17]

“Freedom has not been achieved so far; to those cannot give proper education to their children, to Dalits and enslaved people of this country, to those innocent people- who were massacred at Bhiwandi, Assam, Gujarat, Jamshedpur, Guwahati, Varanasi, Ayodhya- to the minority communities, to the dispossessed and deprived, to those landless and poor, to those who have no land to bury their dead …When the 50th anniversary of Indian independence day of “Masters” is being celebrated, I have declared that the Subalterns of this country have not yet attained independence…”[18]

Free Madani Campaign

Justice for Madani Forum

With the aim of providing legal and financial aid to PDP chairman Abdul Nasser Madani, who has been arrested in connection with the Banglore blast case, to wage legal and political battle, Justice For Madani Forum was constituted under the aegis of various Muslim organisations on 25 August 2010.[19] The Justice for Madani Forum demanded that the Bangalore blast case, in which PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, has been listed as an accused, should be probed by any agency outside the state of Karnataka, preferably by the National Investigating Agency (NIA).[20]

Documentary- "Fabricated"

The documentary titled as "Fabricated", directed by K.P Sasi, is an attempt to bring a ray of hope to thousands of innocent people, mostly Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis, oppressed nationalities, workers and others languishing in jails for years and decades under draconian laws such as Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).[21] "Fabricated" is mostly woven around the story of Madani, making a strong case that the Muslim leader of Kerala is innocent and has been jailed for years simply because has been framed. He has a charisma, a great skill of oratory and above all a vision of the uplift of the marginalised sections.[17]

Assembly resolution

The Kerala assembly on March 16, 2006 passed a unanimous resolution seeking the release of Abdul Nasser Mahdani, on humanitarian grounds.[9]

Controversies

Islamic Seva Sangh

Mahdani had set up the Islamic Seva Sangh in 1989. It was banned in 1992 for alleged subversive act[22] along with RSS,[23] SIMI, Jamath Islami and Shiv Sena following the Babri Masjid demolition.[14]

Alleged connections with Thadiyantavide Nazeer

Investigators allege that suspected south India commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba Thadiyantavide Nazeer came into militancy through ISS founded by Madani.[24][25][25] Nazeer is suspected to have established links with LeT[25][26] and was picked up by Bangladeshi authorities and handed over to BSF on the Meghalaya border.[25] In connection with the Bangalore blast case, Police have presented phone records to the court proving that Madani contacted the main accused Nazeer several times before and after the blast. Phone calls were made from a number registered in Madani’s wife Soofiya's name.[27][28] According to the police, after orchestrating the blasts Nasir went in hiding at Madani’s office at Anvarssery.[29] However Madani's advocate B V Acharya has contended that it is "only a make believe theory to implicate Madani".[30]

Allegation on Coimbatore blast case
After his release from coimbatore jail

He was alleged in the Coimbatore serial bomb blasts case held on February 14, 1998 that killed 58 people. Mahdani was imprisoned for nine years as an undertrial. However, Mahdani was acquitted of all charges which was Considered to be a miscarriage of justice by many [31] Mahdani charged that there is an hidden political agenda in connecting him with the coimbatore blast case.[32] But there was none.

High Court and Supreme court observations in Bangalore blast case

Mahdani is lodged in Karnataka jail and is in judicial custody for his involvement in the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts and similar incidents in Ahmedabad, Surat and Jaipur. Two persons were killed and 20 injured when the blasts rocked the cyber city at nine locations in 2008.[33] As per Karnataka state Home Minister V S Acharya, Mahdani also allegedly admitted role in the 2010 Bangalore stadium bombing on April 17, 2010,[34] which he had denied earlier.[35][36] After a court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant,[37] he proffered to surrender so as to avoid 'unpleasant situations' when he was to be arrested.[38] On February 11, 2011, the Karnataka High Court had rejected Mahdani's plea. The High Court had said, "There is seldom ever that direct evidence is there in such cases. Conspiracy by very nature is hatched in complete secrecy otherwise the whole purpose will be frustrated.[39] The testimonies of witnesses, G Prabhakar, KB Rafeeq and KK Yoganand were quoted in the judgement dismissing the bail plea. At the final hearing Justice Markandey Katju uttered that he was wondering as to how a person on a wheel chair could pose a threat if released on bail.?[40] Finally the Supreme court bench was divided on granting bail to Mahdani and posted the matter to chief justice of India to form a new bench to decide on the plea.[41] In March 2013 madani was granted a 5-day interim bail to attend his daughter's wedding and to vsist his ailing father.[42] On 21 October 2013, the Supreme court of India directed the Karnataka Government to immediately shift Mahdani to a private hospital for treatment. The court also allowed his wife to be along with him as a bystander during his stay in the hospital.[43]

After his arrest in banglore blast case
Findings of Tehelka in Bangalore blast case

His testimony in the chargesheet reads, "I have seen strangers visit the estate. Among them was a man wearing a cap. I had seen him only on television. I realised that the man was Mahdani." Some of the Bharatiya Janata Party and RSS workers said they had not seen Mahdani in the area. The testimony of Rafeeq, who had worked in the Lakkeri estate as a labour and was arrested by SIT in 2008 reads,

References

  1. ↑ Basha, 72 others convicted for Coimbatore blasts Archived October 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. The Pioneer - August 1, 2007
  2. ↑ "What helped police nail Madani". The New Indian Express. 2010-06-13.
  3. ↑ http://ibnlive.in.com/news/spot-light-on-madani-after-let-terrorists-arrest/106967-3.html
  4. ↑ http://www.oneindia.com/2006/09/11/hc-directs-rss-leader-to-surrender-in-madani-attack-case-1157980219.html
  5. 1 2 "Maudhany freed, Basha found guilty in Coimbatore blasts case". The Hindu. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
  6. ↑ Madani slams CBI, Karnataka cops. deccanchronicle.com. June 13, 2010
  7. ↑ HC directs RSS leader to surrender in Madani attack case. News.oneindia.in (2006-09-11). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  8. ↑ http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/out-on-bail-madani-a-cynosure-of-all-eyes-in-kerala-politics/
  9. 1 2 "Madani's custody in Bangalore takes political colour". Indian Express. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  10. ↑ Madani pretending to be ill, SC told - Rediff.com India News
  11. ↑ 'Madani's role in IPL stadium blasts is Not proven' – Rediff.com India News. News.rediff.com (2010-08-25). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  12. ↑ http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-unquestioned-power-can-lead-to-fascism-fabricated-director-kp-sasi-1902338
  13. ↑ http://www.countercurrents.org/2016/08/17/maudany-your-freedom-is-our-freedom/
  14. 1 2 3 Special: Are Kerala's Muslims enamoured with Abdul Nasser Madani?. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  15. ↑ rediff.com: Kerala: PDP leader Madani speaks on terror charges, tie-up with Left
  16. ↑ The Hindu : Kerala / Kollam News : Four PDP members expelled from party
  17. 1 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX9nqr8GyFo
  18. ↑ http://thecompanion.in/let-the-walls-speak-the-many-meanings-of-azaadiand-freedom/
  19. ↑ http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article208304.ece
  20. ↑ http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-justice-for-madani-forum-demands-nia-probe-in-bangalore-blast-case-1439847
  21. ↑ https://kafila.org/2013/12/10/the-state-manufactures-terrorism-kp-sasi/
  22. ↑ Madani finally held, flown to Bangalore. Hindustan Times (2010-08-16). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  23. ↑ An ineffective move Archived January 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.
  24. ↑ The Pioneer
  25. 1 2 3 4 Madani’s wife charged with aiding LeT man - Economic Times
  26. ↑ Dacoity case: CB arrests Thadiyantavide Nazeer - Times Of India
  27. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2013-04-23.
  28. ↑ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/89664/F
  29. ↑ http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/article442740.ece
  30. ↑ http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=711521[]
  31. ↑ The Hindu News Update Service. Hindu.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  32. ↑ Mangalore Unravelling Bomb Blasts will Trigger off Communal Unrest - Madani
  33. ↑ SC bench split on granting bail to blast accused Madani. Hindustan Times (2011-05-05). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  34. ↑ Madani admits to role in Bangalore stadium blasts – Times Of India. Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2010-08-24). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  35. ↑ Madani says he will surrender before court. Indian Express (2010-08-15). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  36. ↑ Madani under jail threat, again. Deccanherald.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  37. ↑ Court issues another NBW against Madani. Sify.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  38. ↑ I will surrender before a court: Madani. Sify.com (2010-08-15). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  39. ↑ Madani pretending to be ill, SC told – Rediff.com India News. Rediff.com (2011-04-29). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  40. ↑ http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-22/bangalore/29462577_1_bangalore-serial-blasts-case-wheelchair-bound-abdul-nasser-madani
  41. ↑ SC split verdict on Mahdani's bail plea in Bangalore blast case. In.news.yahoo.com (2011-05-04). Retrieved on 2012-03-24.
  42. ↑ http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/pdps-madani-allowed-to-attend-daughters-marriage-police-to-monitor-652216.html
  43. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/give-immediate-medical-treatment-to-maudany-court-tells-karnataka/article5259187.ece

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