By Abu Zafar, India Tomorrow,
New Delhi, 05 March 2014: Senior Muslim cleric and Shahi Imam of 17th century Fatehpuri mosque in Delhi, Mufti Mukarram Ahmed on Wednesday said that Muslims should press the NOTA (None of The Above) button on electronic voting machine in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if political parties did not promise repeal of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act).
It is a general observation among the Muslim community that this law has been grossly (mis)used against the Muslim youths arrested in terror cases in various parts of the country in last five years.
“Muslims should ask every political party to promise repeal of draconian UAPA. If they don’t include it in their election manifesto then Muslims should press NOTA button and boycott general elections,” said Mufti Mukarram.
He was addressing a massive public conference organized by People’s Movement Against UAPA to demand repeal of UAPA here at the Talkatora Stadium on Wednesday.
He also said this protest should be taken to the street.
Mukarram urged secular-minded individuals and groups also to raise voice against draconian laws like UAPA.
Mukarram said that Muslims don’t have any faith in any political party.
“We don’t have fear of Modi or love to Rahul Gandhi. We don’t have any affection with Sonia Gandhi and don’t follow Mayawati or Mulayam Singh. We should put our demand before them. If they don’t agree then we will reject them,” he said.
Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb stressed to educate common people about draconian provisions of UAPA.
a section of audience at public conference against UAPA in Delhi on 05 March 2014 (Photo – India Tomorrow)
“This is a call of time to educate masses about draconian provisions of this law and initiate mass movement against it,” Adeeb told the gathering.
“It is very shameful that the nation which belongs to people like Gandhi has such black and draconian laws,” he added.
Christian leader John Dayal also backed the movement and said that apart from Muslims, Sikhs and tribal people, Christian youths are also victim of UAPA.
“This is not a battle of Muslims only but lots of Christian youths are also languishing behind bars in Odisha and other states under the draconian UAPA.”
He advised that repeal of UAPA should be an issue of upcoming general election.
Dr. SQR Ilyas, general secretary of Welfare Party of India said that state terrorism is the worst kind of terrorism.
“I want to tell you with all responsibility that state terrorism is becoming most problematic these days.”
He criticized UPA government and said that SIMI was banned by BJP led NDA regime but Congress-led UPA also followed the same path.
“90 percent of UAPA cases on Muslims have common story linking with SIMI and it is being banned several times without enough evidences,” Ilyas argued.
The conference was addressed by several lawyers, activists and leaders of different communities and parties including AB Bardhan, Guru Charan Singh, Adv. Ashok Agarwal, Ram Puniyani.
