India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—Extending its support to the demands of the protesting farmers regarding withdrawal of three Farm Laws passed by the Central Government in September this year, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), one of the biggest socio-cultural organization of Indian Muslims, has condemned the bid to defame and divide the ongoing farmers’ protest.
Addressing mediapersons at its headquarters here today, JIH vice-president Engineer Mohammad Salim appealed the government to give a serious thought to the demands of the farmers seeking repeal of the three laws that have been described as anti-farmer by the farming community all over the country.
He also appealed the farmers and their organisations to keep their agitation peaceful so that law and order is not disturbed.
Give Up Ego, Repeal The 3 Farm Laws
Mr. Salim said, “There is lot of dissatisfaction among the farming community with regard to the three farm laws and they have been forced to take to streets because they suspect that they will not get fair price of their produce and agriculture sector would be gradually taken over by corporates due to the new laws enacted by the Central government”. He advised the government to reconsider its stand on the issue and rescind the laws without making it an issue of ego.
The Jamaat leader said that the government must, instead, come with laws ensuring that farmers were not exploited at the hands of corporates and hoarders. He wanted that the government must ensure that farmers got fair price of their produce.
Concern Over Acquittal of Babri Masjid Demolition Accused
He also expressed concern over the acquittal of the accused involved in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 despite clear evidence against them, UP government passing an ordinance on the alleged “Love Jihad” snatching away the constitutional right of selecting one’s life-partner, irrespective of religion, and Transparency International declaring India as the most corrupt country in Asia.
The Jamaat vice-president strongly condemned the rewarding of the Babri Masjid demolition accused with ministerial positions in the government and in political parties and organisations. He said that the Supreme Court, in its judgement in November 2019, had ruled that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was an illegal and a criminal act.
“While the courts failed to punish the Babri Masjid demolition accused despite all the evidence available against them, it is ironical that they have been awarded with gifts by the political parties”, remarked Mr. Salim.
He said that acquittal of the accused in the Babri Masjid demolition despite evidence, would weaken trust of a large section of the population in country’s judicial system.
Jamaat Objects To Use Of Term “Love Jihad”
Taking strong objection to the use of expression “Love Jihad”, he said that the Jamaat had several times in the past had objected to the use of such a term because such references were intended to defame Muslims and Islam and creating hatred against them in the society. He pointed out that the Constitution of India permitted adult persons to choose a religion of their own choice and marry someone of their liking, irrespective of their religion. “Bringing a law to curb it amounted to an assault on the right of individual’s freedom guaranteed under the provisions of the Constitution”, he commented. He said the latest example of it was in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh where a man and a woman were picked up by the police from the venue of the marriage on the suspicion that the woman happened to be Hindu while both the bride and bridegroom were Muslims. The youth was also badly beaten up. They were, however, let off later on but it caused inconvenience to the couple and their family and also impacted their position in the society for no fault of theirs. “This is misuse of official machinery on the pretext of so-called Love Jihad”, he pointed out.
Fear of the Creator Can Help Eliminate Corruption
He also expressed serious concern over India having been placed on top of the corrupt countries in Asia in a survey conducted by Transparency International. “This is very shameful for the country”, he said.
“Jamaat feels that our low rating in eliminating corruption is because of the decline of moral values and the absence of accountability before one’s Creator in the Hereafter”, he said.
Stating that the Jamaat was always making efforts to eliminate corruption, he said that it was only possible if both the state and the people played their role to end it.
Responding to a question as to what effort the Jamaat had made to eliminate corruption, Mr. Salim said that the Jamaat had extended its full support to Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia when they had launched ‘India Against Corruption’ movement a few years ago.
