After being in news for his support for the ban on the slaughter of bovines and the sale of beef in the country, Syed Zainul Abedin, the spiritual head of the Ajmer sufi shrine, was sacked today from the post of deewan. Claiming support of the family, his brother Syed Alaudin Alimi declared Abedin “a non-Muslim” for his “blasphemous” support for beef ban.

The post of deewan is hereditary as it belongs to heirs of the 12th-13th century sufi priest and though the incumbent has no control over management of the shrine, he is entitled to a monthly emolument.

“I am the new deewan. I have the support of the entire (Chishti) clan,” said Alimi. He went on to allege that his brother Abedin was an “apostate because he had spoken in violation of the Islamic law”.

Early this week Abedin had asked Muslims to give up beef eating and also said triple talaq was against Sharia.