India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—Expressing serious concern over increasing hate crimes in the country, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind JIH) has appealed to the government to rein in the communal forces and anti-social elements behind these incidents.
JIH is one of the most prominent socio-cultural organization of Indian Muslims.
Addressing media persons in an online press conference here on Saturday, JIH Vice-President Professor Mohammad Salim Engineer said that the frequency of hate crimes, cow vigilantism, and mob lynching had increased in the last few weeks because of no action taken against the culprits involved in such crimes.
Stating that atrocities against Dalits and minorities had increased a sense of insecurity among the marginalized sections of society, Prof Salim pointed out that criminal cases and incidents related to law and order are given a communal colour and exploited by forces of hate and division to create polarization in society.
He said that crime incidents about communal hatred had increased with assembly elections of five states-Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Manipur-drawing nearer.
“Those engaging in these nefarious activities to create communal strife feel emboldened as no action is taken against them and they become confident to carry out further crimes knowing that they can continue to spread hatred and commit acts of violence without attracting any punishment by the law enforcement machinery”, Prof Salim elaborated.
Appealing to the government to come down heavily on forces spreading bigotry and communal hatred, he urged the political parties, non-governmental organizations, and social activists to come forward and fulfill their responsibility towards curbing hatred in the country.
Replying to a question about a request for ‘President’s police medal for Gallantry’ made by police officer Ved Prakash Surya, who was photographed in a video with BJP leader Kapil Mishra when the latter made a provocative speech at a pro-CAA rally in Northeast Delhi on February 23, 2020, JIH Secretary Mohammed Ahmed said, “it is very disturbing.”
He said that earlier, too, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) personnel were found conniving in the communal riots, but they had never demanded medals for it. “But it is very disappointing that policemen who failed in curbing riots are demanding medals. Northeast Delhi was burning for three days, resulting in the death of 53 innocent persons, injuries to hundreds of others, and destruction of properties worth hundreds of crores of rupees. Policemen having failed in carrying out their duty be punished”, said Mr. Ahmed.
He said that Home Minister Amit shah had admitted in Parliament that Northeast Delhi riots were planned and executed by outsiders. “The government must identify and punish the real perpetrators of the violence. But I don’t hope the government would accept our demand”, Mr. Ahmed said in response to another question.
He said that the “non-issues” of religious conversion and so-called “love-jihad” that have the potential to polarize the society on communal and religious lines were being raised when the elections to five state assemblies were just a few months ahead. Some political parties in power feel that they can’t go to people to seek votes again as they have failed on all fronts, and hence, they were raising emotional issues for political gains. They were simply trying to divert attention from the real problems facing the nation.
Inflation, unemployment hit poor people
Expressing concern over the steep rise in prices, Prof. Salim said that they were increasing despite no increase in demand for the commodities. Stating that prices of edible oil have touched Rs. 200 per litre and that of petrol Rs. 100 per litre, he said the rising prices have affected 94 percent of the Indian population while the only beneficiaries of it are the corporates and business-people.
Stating that the economic growth had slowed down in the country owing to various factors, Prof. Salim that the government must provide interest-free loans to revive the economy.
Stay electoral bonds for election funding
Referring to the Supreme Court refusing to stay the electoral bonds, Prof. Salim said that the court should stop the electoral bonds for raising election funds because there were chances of an unhealthy relationship developing between political parties and corporates who may use this as leverage to get business contracts, hefty bank loans, and industrial licenses and other benefits.
“With the Supreme Court of India refusing to stay the electoral bonds, there is serious apprehension that any further sale of electoral bonds before the upcoming assembly elections in UP, Punjab, HP, Goa, and Manipur would further increase illegal and illicit funding of political parties,” said Prof Salim.
