On Monday the Supreme Court of India took up the PIL which has been filed by Shia Waqf Board seeking a ban on hoisting green flags that bears a crescent moon and a star, in Indian territory and asked the Centre to file a detailed response on the matter under consideration of the Court.
Shia Waqf board chairman calling green flags as “un-Islamic”, approached the Supreme Court claiming that the green flag which bears a crescent moon and a star resembled the flag of the Pakistan Muslim League, a political party in an “enemy country” and also resembled the national flag of Pakistan hence should be banned and strict action should be taken against those who hoist it in India.
A bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan asked the counsel for Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chairman Syed Waseem Rizvi to provide Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta a copy of the petition to enable him to reply on behalf of the Centre.
In the petition,the chairman of Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board, Syed Waseem Rizvi mentions that “such flags are being hoisted in Muslim-dominated areas with utmost impunity”. According to him, the design of the flag or its pattern was never a part of any Islamic practice or tradition and does not have any religious significance or connection.He contended that the design was never part of any Islamic practice and has no significant role in Islam.
“Hoisting of enemy flags by persons under wrong belief that it is a religious flag, requires the immediate attention of the government agencies,” Syed Waseem contented in the petition.
Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan has asked the centre to file a reply in the matter.
