‘Communal slur’

This meant, Atif said, that “when it was the case of giving medical assistance to Ms Husnjahan (an employee with the Uttar Pradesh unit of NYKS), I was active, whereas in the case of Shri Upendra Thakur, I was complacent.”

Before signing off, Atif wrote: “This is for the first time that a communal, biased and divisive mentality I have experienced in my entire life and I strongly object and register my protest with you. I am hurt Sir.”

Atif followed this January email with a letter he wrote to A K Dubey, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, on February 1.

Calling Dilawar Singh “abusive” and “dictatorial,” Atif has alleged that he tried to “communalise the relations between me and the Board of Governors members...cursed me that I would go to Dozakh (hell).”

Atif said that Dilawar Singh delayed sanctioning of medical advance to Husnjahan whose mother was on her deathbed and died without receiving the advance. As for Thakur”s case, Atif says that he was “continuously following up with Maharashtra staff and taking updates on his welfare.”

Dilawar Singh denied Atif”s allegations: “I have spent 35 years in the Army working with Muslim jawans and Muslim civilians. I have read the Quran...organised Iztema in Jammu and Kashmir. I have preached Islam and constructed mosques. It is not in my character to make such remarks.” Asked about the alleged delay in clearing the medical advance, Dilawar Singh said: “When Atif himself applied for medical advance, it was cleared the same day. Similarly Husnjahan”s advance was also cleared on the day it arrived on my table,” he said.

Singh, too, sent a letter to Dubey on March 15 in which he accused Atif of making false allegations.

Sources close to Dilawar Singh claimed that Atif faced allegations of financial irregularities in 2003 when he was posted in Madhya Pradesh and so his complaint was motivated. Confirming that such allegations were made against him, Atif said that they were false. “Four inquiries and disciplinary proceedings were held against me. All have given me a clean chit,” he said.