India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), a federation of prominent Muslim organizations and individuals, held its annual general meeting in New Delhi. Representatives from various states, including Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Karnataka, West Bengal, Telangana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar, actively participated in discussions regarding the challenges facing the country and the Muslim community.
At the meeting, leaders from Muslim organizations, including parliamentarians, intellectuals, clergymen, and policy planners, expressed deep concerns about the current political and social climate in the country. They emphasized the importance of unity among minorities and other marginalized groups, committing to a collective struggle for justice.
Around 20 resolutions were passed addressing critical issues such as mob lynching, the politics of hatred, anti-minority economic policies, the shrinking opportunities for Muslims in budgetary allocations, CBSE’s anti-Urdu stance, the decline in the effectiveness of the National Council for the Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), delimitation of constituencies, the Waqf Amendment Bill, caste census, the “Bulldozer Raj” in various BJP-ruled states, the volatile situation in Assam and Uttar Pradesh, and the denial of justice to victims unlawfully arrested during the anti-Muslim violence in Delhi in 2020.
Additionally, discussions included the situation in neighboring countries and the suffering of Palestinians, as well as the broader implications for India and the world. Resolutions were also passed addressing these international concerns.
The Mushawarat meeting firmly asserted that the government’s hostile attitude towards Muslims, the use of state agencies against minorities and Dalits, and the politics of hatred must be collectively countered. This commitment was echoed by Feroz Ahmed Advocate, President of AIMMM, in his inaugural remarks. He emphasized that no one should be allowed to exploit divisions within the community by playing the “backward vs. non-backward” card, which promotes dominance of one group over another.
Regarding organizational matters, Mr. Feroz Ahmad Advocate stated that Mushawarat would strengthen its existing state units and aims to activate and organize units in an additional 20 states over the next year.
Shahid Siddiqui, a member of Mushawarat and former Member of Parliament, highlighted the organization’s historical impact but noted the need to restore its credibility further. He assured that there would be no shortage of sincere individuals or funding to support this endeavor. Additionally, he stressed the importance of better coordination among Muslim MLAs and MPs, suggesting that Mushawarat facilitate meetings for them before every session of the Assembly and Parliament.
AIMMM constituted a sub-committee for parliamentary affairs with Mr. E.T. Muhammad Basheer MP, former Parliamentarians Mr. Shahid Siddiqui, Mr. Azeez Pasha, Mr. Kunwar Danish Ali and Mr. M. Afzal beside the former president of AIMMM, Mr. Navaid Hamid, as its members. Similarly, Akhtar Hussain Akhtar, a prominent leader from Uttar Pradesh, suggested that Mushawarat should explore issuing guidelines for the community on important issues like Waqf and mob lynching.
Mr. Navaid Hamid, former President of Mushawarat, emphasized that members and delegates travelled hundreds of miles to attend the meeting, underscoring their commitment to addressing the issues facing the community. He reminded attendees that both the government and other stakeholders, both in India and abroad, continue to take Mushawarat seriously.
Earlier, Ahmad Jawed, AIMMM’s General Secretary (Media), presented a detailed Action Taken Report. The report outlined plans to provide legal aid to journalists who jeopardize their safety and careers to uncover the truth, as well as the establishment of a Media Monitoring Cell and a Data Centre.
The report also included progress on the reconstruction of the Mushawarat building and strengthening of the Mushawarat Reference Library and a separate reading and preparation facility at the AIMMM office for students preparing for competitive exams.
The Mushawarat also announced a National Convention on the issues facing the nation and the community as well as an annual lecture in memory of Syed Shahabuddin, on November 4 this year.
Finance Secretary Ahmad Raza presented the statement of account for the past year and the budget for 2024-25. A proposal from Haider Vali Khan of Bangalore to increase the budget for administrative and media purposes was approved unanimously.
Dr. Qaiser Shamim, former secretary of the Central Waqf Council, Government of India, presented a resolution on the Waqf Amendments Act 2024. The resolution was discussed by members, including former MP Aziz Pasha, as well as Khurshid Hasan Roomi, Manzoor Ahmed, and Senior Supreme Court Advocate Ejaz Maqbool, who contributed to discussions on mob lynching. Both resolutions rejected the policies and functioning of the Union government, as well as the NDA governments in various states, on these issues.
The AIMMM pointed out the government’s failure to notify the survey under the Waqf Act of 1995, establish new rules and regulations, appoint a full-time CEO to the board, and comply with other mandates of the Act, nearly three decades after its promulgation. It highlighted that not only have the states failed to implement the Act, but the Centre has also failed to monitor its execution.
The term of the Central Waqf Council expired on February 3, 2023, and it has yet to be reconstituted. The Secretary of the Council was relieved of his duties on April 11, 2023, and there has been no full-time secretary since. The AIMMM raised the critical question: “If the Union government fails to abide by the Act, how can they expect the states to appoint full-time CEOs to the boards?”
The AIMMM demanded a judicial inquiry into the ongoing incidents of hate violence and mob lynching, expressing deep concerns about the threats posed to the social fabric of the country by politics rooted in hate and violence.
Acknowledging the severe impact of the communal violence in Northeast Delhi in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of around 55 innocent individuals and left thousands injured, the AIMMM recognized the urgent need for targeted support and justice for the victims. It also highlighted the disturbing trend of delayed justice and the continued incarceration of activists such as Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Gulfisha Fatima, and others, who have been unjustly detained for their peaceful activism. The resolution emphasized that delays in justice exacerbate the suffering of victims and undermine the integrity of the legal process.
Resolutions addressing mob violence and anti-Muslim politics were proposed by Manzoor Ahmed, Khurshid Hasan Roomi, Akhtar Hussain Akhtar, and others. Separate resolutions were passed regarding the socio-political situations in Assam, Manipur, and Uttar Pradesh, all condemning the increasing violence and politics of hatred, and expressing concern over threats to the social fabric of these regions.
The resolution adopted by AIMMM regarding Jammu and Kashmir affirmed that a collaborative approach will foster lasting peace, prosperity, and democratic integrity in the region. It recommended several key actions, including:
• Restoration of Statehood
• Empowerment of local institutions to facilitate better governance tailored to the region’s unique needs
• Strengthening of the elected government and democracy
• Reduction of surveillance and promotion of trust
• Restoration of political freedom and release of detainees
• Encouragement of dialogue
• Freedom of the press, including lifting media restrictions and removing limitations imposed on local and national media
• Ensuring transparency in governance
• Socio-economic development, with a focus on investment in infrastructure and inclusive growth
• Community engagement and educational programs
The AIMMM is committed to the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir and believes that these steps are crucial for creating a harmonious and prosperous future.
The AIMMM affirmed that the “Bulldozer Rule” signifies a troubling shift toward authoritarianism and arbitrary state power. Mushawarat stands firmly with the victims of these demolitions and demands justice, emphasizing our collective responsibility to resist actions that weaken the fabric of Indian democracy.
The confederation reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights, dignity, and safety of Muslims in Assam and across India. It condemned the discriminatory and divisive policies of the Hemanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government, as well as the anti-Muslim statements made by the Chief Minister.
In solidarity with all marginalized communities, the session reiterated its stance against oppression, discrimination, and injustice, striving for a nation where every citizen is treated with respect and fairness in accordance with the principles of the Indian Constitution. The AIMMM also demanded legal aid for those affected by wrongful exclusions from the NRC and for individuals facing detention or statelessness. Additionally, it called for humanitarian support, including food, shelter, and healthcare, for the victims of state repression and violence in Assam.
Mr. Navaid Hamid presented a resolution addressing the CBSE’s anti-Urdu policies, expressing concern that the future of over 100,000 students is jeopardized by the arbitrary decision to discontinue issuing question papers in Urdu and to prohibit answers in the Urdu language. Meanwhile, Dr. Javed Alam Khan introduced a resolution regarding the government’s anti-minority economic policies, highlighting that the budget for minority welfare has been reduced to just 0.6%.
Another resolution adopted on the caste census reaffirmed the AIMMM’s commitment to social justice, equality, and the upliftment of all marginalized communities. It stated, “We believe that a comprehensive caste census is a necessary step toward achieving these goals. We call upon the government to conduct this census with integrity and utilize the resulting data to create a more equitable and just society.”
In a detailed resolution on the delimitation of electoral constituencies, the AIMMM expressed strong concerns that previous delimitation exercises have been misused to negatively impact the representation of specific populations, particularly the Muslim community. The AIMMM concluded that approximately 80 Lok Sabha seats with significant concentrations of Muslim voters have been reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Meanwhile, constituencies with substantial SC populations have been manipulated to categorize them under the General category.
The AIMMM is concerned that this approach not only obstructs the emergence of self-reliant SC leadership but also ensures that a large portion of the SC community remains under the influence of caste Hindu leadership.
A resolution on the international situation, presented by former Ambassador to Palestine Zikrur Rahman, prompted interventions from former MP Kunwar Danish Ali, Navaid Hamid, Dr. Tasleem Rahmani, Shahid Siddiqui, and others. The AIMMM condemned, in the strongest terms, the inhumane bombings, shelling, and rocket attacks by the Israeli army, navy, and air force on civilian targets in the occupied Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank.
The Majlis denounced the mass uprooting of civilian neighborhoods, the destruction of hospitals and health infrastructure, and the deliberate targeting of schools, colleges, and universities used by displaced Palestinians seeking refuge from bombings. These actions by Israel constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights laws, and they represent a grievous crime against humanity.
The AIMMM also noted the recent developments in neighboring Bangladesh and expressed a desire to see an early return to normalcy, safety, and prosperity for its citizens. It called for guarantees of the rights of minorities and their institutions, as well as the initiation of a genuine democratic process free from outside interference, to ensure peace and security for the citizens of Bangladesh and stability throughout the region. All resolutions were passed unanimously.
The meeting began with a recitation of the Quran by senior executive member Syed Mansoor Agha. Maulana Azhar Madani presented a condolence resolution for prominent figures who passed away in the past year.
Approximately 40 members and several delegates participated in discussions on pressing issues facing the country and the community. Notable attendees included Mohammad Ahmed Momin (Aurangabad), Dr. M. N. Haq (Kolkata), Dr. Idris Qureshi (Delhi), Akhtar Hussain Akhtar (Kanpur), Engineer Sikander Hayat, Mohammad Imran Ansari, Anwar Ahmed, Hafiz Mohammad Javed (Delhi), Manzar Jameel (Kolkata), Harunur Rasheed (Murshidabad), Manzoor Ahmad (Ranchi), Abrar Ahmed IRS (Retired), Maulana Mohammad Salim (Moradabad), Abdul Khaliq, Asif Ansari (President of the Youth Wing of the Indian Union Muslim League), and Mr. Akif Ahmad. The presidents of the organizations from West Bengal, Delhi, and Jharkhand also attended the meeting.
