Shaban Bukhari (R), the son of Delhis Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari (L) kisses his father after being formally anointed the Naib Imam . (PTI)
Shaban Bukhari, the son of Jama Masjid Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari, was formally anointed the Naib Imam (deputy Imam) of the 17th century mosque at a ceremony on Saturday.
"I announce Shaban Bukhari as the Naib Imam of Jama Masjid. I hope that he will live up to the expectations," Syed Ahmed Bukhari said during the ceremony.
The 19-year-old, who is pursuing his bachelor's degree in social work at Amity University, is now in line to become the Shahi Imam of the country's largest mosque.
His anointment has been controversial with the Delhi High Court asking the Shahi Imam to explain his decision to pick his son as his successor.
Following a plea on the matter, the court, on November 21, said his move "has no legal sanctity" but had not cancelled the ceremony. Mr Bukhari has been asked to explain his move by January 28.
Today, Mr Bukhari said though his post has been hereditarily occupied by his family for 400 years, he would respect the court order. But he strongly criticised the Waqf Board for stirring up the issue but added that the people were with him and "that's the only thing that is important".
Mr Bukhari went ahead with the function, which was held at the Jama Masjid this evening.
The post, Mr Bukhari said today, "has been held for over 400 years by my family, it is a tradition and a custom followed not just by us but also has the faith of the people."
"We always knew it's not a legal matter, though the Waqf wanted to make it one. We will respect the court order and send a representation to court on the 28th," he said. The Waqf board, he added, "has no importance". "The people are with me and that's what is important."
"Waqf was not there when Emperor Shahjahan made his son-in-law the first Imam of Jama Masjid. Waqf has been around for only 60-65 years," he said. "No matter what the Waqf says, no imam can ever be an employee of Waqf."
The pleas challenging Mr Bukhari has contended that the mosque is the property of the Delhi Waqf Board, which administers Muslim religious properties, and the Shahi Imam cannot unilaterally decide his successor.
Earlier, Wajeeh Shafiq, advocate of Waqf Board had told NDTV, "The Imam is an employee of the Waqf Board. The relationship between an employer and employee should be respected."