‘Join Hands To Defeat Fascism And Save The Country’: Karnataka JIH President Dr. Muhammad Saad Belgami

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Laeequllah Khan Mansoori

BENGALURU—The Karnataka unit of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has appealed to the citizens to join hands to defeat fascist forces in the state assembly elections in May 2023 and the next general elections in 2024 with a view to saving the country.

The appeal was made at a press conference addressed by Karnataka unit president Dr. Muhammad Saad Belgami in the BIFT auditorium hall here today.

The press meet was organized about the preparations of the Jamaat to launch a campaign to educate the electorates in Karnataka about the real issues and stakes involved keeping in mind the ensuing elections in the state.

“Elections are real milestones in democracies. 2023 and 2024 will be crucial years in deciding the direction and fate of the country,” the JIH leader said. The polls for the Karnataka assembly are scheduled to be held in May 2023 and Parliamentary elections are due in 2024.

The JIH leader said that “the fascist forces in the blind pursuit of power are posing a grave threat to the democratic institutions, plurality, federalism, constitutional spirit and values of our country.”

He pointed out that a “false sense of nationalism is being promoted to cover their failures and very serious economic and social problems.”

Dr. Belgami said that “the real issues of the common man and true interest of the country are being swept aside by empty slogans, promises, and propaganda.”

“The moral and spiritual values and traditions of the country,” he said,  “are being replaced with moral decay, selfishness, corruption, hatred, social divisions, and discord. We call upon all countrymen to arise to save the real idea of India as envisioned by our forefathers, the true architects of Constitution and free India”, he added.

He said that though India had completed 75 years of its independence from the foreign yoke, there were several areas of grave concern in the country.

“While we laud our achievements and accomplishments, we need to take note of the challenges which might otherwise throw the country into turmoil and chaos”, said Dr. Belgami.

Pointing out the spate of murders from Belgaum, Nargund, Shimoga, Bangalore, and Mangalore, he emphasized the need to maintain the law and order in the state.

“The common man especially the senior citizens feel unsafe in our cities. The backlog of cases in our courts, 80 percent of the undertrial prisoners languishing in jails without being proven guilty, and the influence of money and power in the miscarriage of justice, most recently seen in the case of Mr. Eshwarppa, are all painful facts. The Chief Minister talking about action and reaction and hinting at Yogi Model for our state are deplorable comments,” the JIH president said.

He remarked that “the recent harassment and cases against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair and human rights defender Teesta Setalvad are glaring examples of the erosion of justice”.

Criticizing the government on its policy of victimization of minorities, fanning hatred, and raising divisive and emotional issues, Dr. Belgami expressed his deep concern about the growing polarization and communalization in the state which is disturbing the age-old environment of peace and harmony in the state.

 “Notwithstanding the recent upheavals on hijab, Azan, Halal meat, economic boycott, etc., fresh attempts are being made to encroach upon the autonomy of madrasas and the ownership of Idgahs and mosques. Overall, this has disturbed the social harmony, caused economic hardships, and sullied the image of our state and country internationally”, he remarked.

Speaking on the atrocities on women and Dalits, he said: “Women and weaker sections continue to suffer discrimination, injustice, marginalization and under-representation. They fare poorly in various indices relating to health, education, hygiene, economy, equality, and justice, etc. The recent release of mass rapists of Bilkis Bano has shaken the moral conscience across the country. Protests continue to date and we join in the demand that the culprits are rearrested and confidence restored in the affected innocents. The killing of a Dalit boy for drinking water shows the depths of untouchability and casteism in our advanced country”.

JIH vice president Muhammad Yusuf Kanni, state secretary Moulana Waheeduddeen Khan Umri Madani, city president JIH Bangalore Prof. Shaikh Haroon Safdar, media secretary of JIH Karnataka Laeequllah Khan Mansoori and convenor of women’s wing JIH Bangalore Metro Mrs. Tasneem Farzana were also present.

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