Schedule duel
It was a race across town for irate journalists yesterday who were first invited to share the plans of the 53rd Dai ul-Mutlaq Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin, at the Trident Hotel, Nariman Point at noon. For those not in the know, the Bohra community has been cleaved into two. A succession battle exploded into public view as Syedna Qutbuddin claimed that Dr Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb RA, who died on January 17, 2014, had appointed him as successor a few years earlier. Another part of the community believes that it is the Dr Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin Saheb’s son who is the successor. The split is hugely acrimonious. 

Yesterday, the press were invited to the Trident to listen to what Qutbuddin’s sons say was the truth and listen to future plans. On Tuesday noon, journalists got a shock when they went to the Mexican Room at the Trident where the press conference was supposed to be held. The room was locked. Only after frantic dialling, did some angry press persons find out that the meet had been rescheduled for the Bandra Kurla Complex. According to Qutbuddin’s spokesperson, the hotel cancelled their booking because of religious sentiments, claiming it was a security situation. Hence, they had to hastily re-schedule it. Post the 40 days of mourning, things are heating up once again in the battle of the Bohras.