Shahi Imam defiant in anointing his son as successor

On Saturday, hours before the ceremony, Bukhari said that his post has been herditarily occupied by his family for 400 years.

According to NDTV reports, while Bukhari said that he would respect the Delhi High Court order asking him to explain his decision to pick his son as his successor, he also strongly criticized by the Wakf Board for stirring up the issue but added that the people were with him.

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. It sells files and property for money... The people are with me and that's what is important."

Bukhari had been challenged by a series of Public Interest Litigations (PIL) which contend that the mosque is the property of the Delhi Wakf Board, which administers Muslim religious properties, and the Shahi Imam cannot unilaterally decide his successor, reports said.

The Delhi High court had said that the Shahi Imam’s move “has no legal sanctity”. The Delhi HC, however, did not cancel the ceremony but it asked Bukhari to explain his move by January 28.

Bukhari has decided to go ahead with the ceremony to annoint his 19-year-old son as Vice Imam, scheduled later in the day. The ceremony is likely to take place at the historic Jama Masjid.

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."

Bukhari earlier courted controversy by ignoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi whereas inviting Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif for the event.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi have also been invited for the ceremony.

The Bukharis have been the traditional custodians for almost 400 years of the Jama Masjid since it was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century facing the Red Fort in the capital.