Rizvi had alleged that certain verses of the Holy Quran preached violence against non-believers.
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a Writ petition filed by former Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chairman Syed Waseem Rizvi who had sought removal of 26 verses from the Holy Quran. Rizvi had alleged that certain verses of the Holy Quran preached violence against non-believers.
A three-judge bench headed by RF Nariman imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the petitioner for filing the petition and observed it as "an absolutely frivolous petition." Justice Nariman asked the counsel, "Are you seriously pressing the petition?" According to the petition, the literal interpretation of certain verses preached violence against non-believers which could lead to indoctrination of children.
The petition was protested by several Muslim organisations who condemned Rizvi and accused him of spreading disharmony by quoting the verses of Holy Quran out of context. All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) also condemned the petition and the General Secretary of AISPLB, Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi said that no verse of Holy Quran provokes people to commit violence.
The National Commission for Minorities had also issued notice to Rizvi accusing him of trying to disturb communal harmony and had asked him to apologise.
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