The curious case of Wasim Rizvi to Jitendra Narayan Singh Tyagi, in 10 points

From writing a controversial book on Prophet Muhammad, to challenging 26 verses in the Quran, former UP Waqf Board Chairman Wasim Rizvi has infuriated a lot of people. He called Islamic schools a 'hub of terrorism'. The former UP Central Shia Waqf Board Chairman has earned the ire of not only conservative Muslims, but even the moderate ones.

Yesterday, he converted to Hinduism at the Dasna temple in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh and adopted a new name: Jitendra Narayan Singh Tyagi.

Rizvi told India Today TV, "I was removed from Islam. The prize money on my head is raised every Friday. Today, I am embracing Sanatan Dharma."

Wasim Rizvi has been in and out of the news throughout his life in the public eye. Here's a look back at his political history, in 10 points.

1. FIR FOR RAPE

In June early this year, a woman approached Lucknow’s Saadatganj Police Station to lodge a complaint against Rizvi on accusation of rape and threatening her with obsene videos. The woman happens to be the wife of Rizvi’s former driver. In her statement, she said that Rizvi frequently sent her husband out on work and would come to the servant quarters where the couple stayed, and rape her. A Lucknow court directed the administration to file a complaint and start investigation into the matter.

2. KALBE JAWWAD'S CHOICE

In 2003, Wassem Rizvi was made the chairman of Shia Waqf Board by the then Uttar Pradesh Chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on the recommendation of Shia cleric Kalbe Jawwad. The incumbent chairman Mukhtar Anees had to vacate his post following corruption allegations which were raised by Kalbe Jawwad. Rizvi, who was in the good books of the prominent Shia cleric, secured his seat.

3. A TURNCOAT?

When the Samajwadi Party (SP) lost to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the 2007 UP polls, Mayawati, a Dalit face, was the new Chief Minister of the state. In a dramatic turnaround, Rizvi switched sides, and assuming better prospects in BSP, severed all ties with the SP. Two years later, in 2009, the term of Waqf Chairman was to end and in a new development, Kalbe Jawwad got his brother-in-law Jamaluddin Akbar the new Chairman of the board. Rizvi was swiftly shown the door.

4. THE RIFT WIDENS

The differences between Shia cleric Kalbe Jawwad and Wasim Rizvi reached a peak in 2010. Just a year earlier, Rizvi had to swallow a bitter pill when he was ousted from the chairmanship of the Waqf Board. In 2010, in a surprising development, Rizvi was once again made the Chairman of the Board after the then Chairperson, Jamaluddin Akbar had to tender his resignation due to corruption allegations.

5. SP RETURNS, RIZVI SWITCHES ONCE AGAIN

In 2012, the SP got back in power and Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son, Akhilesh Yadav had assumed the CM's chair this time. Within two months of Akhilesh's tenure, the Shia Waqf Board was dissolved. In 2014, Wasim Rizvi is said to have cozied up to Cabinet minister and strong Mulayam aide Mohammad Azam Khan, and was back as the Chairman of a reinstituted Waqf Board. And thus began a new rivalry between Azam Khan and Kalbe Jawwad.

6. BJP ASSUMES POWER IN 2017, RIZVI DESERTS AZAM KHAN

UP saw a saffron wave in 2017, with the BJP winning 325 Assembly seats out of the 403. Yogi Adityanath was the new CM of the state. Sensing a shift in the air, Rizvi changed his tone. This was understandable following his tryst with his chairmanship in the Waqf Board which he eventually completed in May 2020, but couldn't get another term. Although he was still a member of the board.

7. YOGI SNUBS RIZVI

Shia cleric Kalbe Jawwad has time and again raised allegations of corruption on Wasim Rizvi, indicating misuse of his position as the chairman of the board. The Yogi Adityanath government transferred the cases against Wasim Rizvi of alleged irregularities in the sale of property of Waqf Board to the Central Branch CID office, Lucknow. In all, there are five cases registered against 11 other persons, in addition to Rizvi. 

8. CBI ACTION AGAINST RIZVI

From CB CID, Lucknow, Wasim Rizvi’s case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In November 2020, CBI registered an FIR against Rivzi and four others for illegal sale, purchase and transfer of Waqf property in Prayagraj and Kanpur. 

9. A NEW BEGINNING FOR RIZVI

After cosying up to Hindu leaders didn't work, Wasim Rizvi warmed up to Hinduism itself. In recent times, Rizvi has courted controversy with his statements on Islam and Prophet Mohammad.

10. AN ORCHESTRATED MOVE?

There seems to be more than meets the eye in Wasim Rizvi's conversion to Hinduism. One cannot ignore the UP Assembly elections, which are just round the corner. Then there are the cases against him. The coming days will reveal more about what's on Rizvi's mind.