08 April,2009 09:18 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
A poet slapped the chairman of the State Urdu Academy at the Central College campus on March 6 because he was asked to vacate a front-row seat.
Khaleel-Ur-Rahman, who retired as the inspector general of police, fire force, and now heads the Academy, told Ulsoorgate police in his complaint filedu00a0 a month later that the incident occurred during the All India Urdu seminar before hundreds of delegates and guests.
But poet Rahman Jami said that he was the aggrieved party since he had been asked to give up his seat despite being an invitee and that it was Rahman who got physical first.
Rahman's version
Rahman said he had asked one of the participants, who had occupied a front-row seat meant for guests and dignitaries, to vacate his seat.
Enraged, the participant refused and slapped Rahman publicly and walked away while hundreds watched on.
Rahman later found out that the participant was Rahman Jami from Hyderabad. Rahman requested the police to take action against Jami for attacking a public servant.
Jami's version
Jami told MiD DAY that he had been invited to participate in the seminar and poetry recitation.
"Though no one recognised me initially, a few of my friends and the organisers later asked me to sit in the front row. I was not feeling well but attended despite doctors advising me against travelling," said the 75-year-old Jami.
"While I was sitting, Rahman approached me and asked me to get up. When I asked why,u00a0 he said the row was reserved for guests and dignitaries. While I tried to explain that I was one of them, he caught hold of my collar.
I lost my cool and slapped him, objecting to his treatment of a senior citizen and guest," Jami recalled.
He said the incident occurred on March 6 and after his return, his fans and friends staged a protest in Hyderabad against the academy and wrote a letter seeking a reply.
When the letter reached the Academy, Rahman filed a complaint to save himself, Jami said.
