Delhi Deputy Speaker Shoaib Iqbal was allegedly attacked with a knife outside the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi region of the national capital on Friday night when his supporters clashed with the supporters of the Shahi Imam of the historic mosque.
Four persons, including two policemen, were also injured in the clashes.
Trouble began in the afternoon when scores of persons led by Iqbal, the local legislator, assembled outside the mosque in Old Delhi to protest Pope Benedict XVI's controversial remarks at a time when Bukhari's Friday speech was on.
Tempers ran high after both sides shouted slogans against each other over the public address system leading to a commotion. A scuffle broke out between the rival groups, which indulged in stone-pelting. Tension gripped the area following the clash and reinforcements of security personnel, including Rapid Action Force, were rushed to the area. After about two hours, police dispersed the crowd.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Neeraj Thakur told PTI
Relations between Bukhari and Iqbal have come under strain as the cleric had issued a fatwa against the politician during last Assembly elections in Delhi.
Iqbal and his supporters later regrouped in the evening, shouting slogans against the Shahi Imam and demanding his resignation from the post. Late in the night, Shahjad, an aide of Iqbal, alleged that a group 15-20 people attacked with knife and bottles the Deputy Speaker and his supporters when they were returning home from Mati Mahal in Daryagunj.
Iqbal did not receive stab wound as he was protected by his Personal Security Officer Noor Mohammed, he said.
While Iqbal was unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit of the Sanjeevani Hospital, his PSO was admitted to Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Hospital. DCP Thakur, however, denied the knife attack on Iqbal had taken place.
