India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has condemned the rise in hate crimes, the derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Islam by a Maharashtra Hindi religious leader, and the detention of 28 Bengali Muslims from Barpeta district, Assam, while welcoming the Supreme Court’s observations on the troubling trend of state and local authorities demolishing properties of those accused of crimes in the name of ‘bulldozer justice’.
Addressing media persons at the JIH headquarters, JIH Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer expressed disappointment that, contrary to expectations, incidents of hate crimes and inflammatory speeches have not ceased following the general elections and the formation of the coalition government; instead, they have been increasing against the Muslim community. He highlighted several disturbing examples, including communal attacks on Muslims in Ranirbazar, Tripura; the lynching of a migrant worker in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri over suspicions of beef consumption; the tragic killing of 19-year-old Aryan Mishra by cow vigilantes in Faridabad; the brutal killing of Nazir Khan and the assault on Sultan Shaikh in Phulambri tehsil, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar; and the attack on 72-year-old Haji Ashraf Maniyar aboard the Dhule-CSMT Express. Prof. Salim emphasized that these cases, which have made it into the media, represent just a fraction of the hundreds of hate crimes occurring nationwide, with the number rising daily.
He criticized anti-social elements and cow vigilante groups who commit these hate crimes, noting that they target the Muslim community with impunity, supported by police and political patrons. Prof. Salim lamented the government’s silence and failure to act against these groups. He condemned these actions as a denigration of the country’s legal and constitutional framework and urged the government, law enforcement agencies, and judiciary to take immediate and decisive action. He also called for a collective effort, including media involvement, to remind the government of its duties and to restore peace and order in the country.
Responding to concerns about rising hate incidents in Uttarakhand and threats against minority Muslims in the hill regions, Prof. Salim urged the judiciary to take immediate action if the government fails to address these issues. He also expressed sorrow over the killing of 19-year-old Aryan Mishra by communal elements and cow vigilantes who mistakenly believed he was Muslim.
Prof. Salim demanded legal action and the immediate arrest of a Maharashtra religious leader for making derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Islam. He argued that these comments have offended Muslim sentiments and contributed to communal rifts, suggesting a possible conspiracy aimed at inflaming tensions ahead of upcoming assembly elections to create religious polarization for political gain.
Additionally, Prof. Salim condemned provocative statements by BJP MLA Nitesh Rane, asserting that they are designed to incite violence and communal discord. He called for the strict implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive to take suo motu action against hate speeches, warning that any police reluctance to do so should be considered contempt of court. He expressed concerns that such hate speech is particularly prevalent in poll-bound states, influencing election outcomes and deepening communal divisions. Prof. Salim also demanded action against TV channels and media outlets that promote hatred. He urged the Muslim community to resist provocative acts and appealed to all peace and justice-loving citizens to unite against divisive hatred and violence.
Strongly denouncing the disturbing trend of state governments and local authorities demolishing houses and properties belonging to those accused of crimes, JIH Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer criticized this illegal practice, which has become increasingly common in recent years and disproportionately targets religious minorities, especially Muslims. He condemned this undemocratic, autocratic, and unjust misuse of state power, which he referred to as ‘bulldozer justice.’
Referring to these demolitions as ‘bulldozers of hatred’ due to their selective targeting of specific communities, Prof. Salim welcomed the Supreme Court’s observations on the issue. He warned against the dangerous trend of linking bulldozers with crimes, noting that local and state authorities are demolishing properties based on allegations without proper investigation. Endorsing the Supreme Court’s view that “properties can’t be demolished just because they belong to a person who is accused of a crime,” Prof. Salim expressed hope that the Court’s upcoming guidelines on September 17 will address this issue on a national level. He called for strict adherence to these guidelines by all concerned authorities and government bodies, demanded adequate compensation for victims of ‘bulldozer injustice,’ and urged that guilty officials be punished.
Regarding the detention of 28 Bengali Muslims from Barpeta district, Assam, who have been declared foreigners by a Foreigner Tribunal and sent to transit camps, JIH National Secretary Shafi Madani condemned these actions as both discriminatory and dehumanizing. He argued that the due process of law was not followed in declaring them as foreigners and detaining them, which constitutes a gross violation of their fundamental rights.
Mr.Madani, who frequently visits Assam, noted that many members of the Bengali Muslim community are illiterate, impoverished, and unaware of the cases against them. Due to a lack of resources, they did not challenge their cases in the Guwahati High Court, leading to their illegal detention. He pointed out that this is not a new issue but has been ongoing for some time.
He revealed that among the 28 detained individuals, their close relatives—including fathers, sons, daughters, and siblings—are confirmed Indian citizens even in NRC. Mr.Madani criticized the Foreigners Tribunal for its partisan, arbitrary, and politically motivated judgments, stating that the tribunal disproportionately targets the Muslim community, especially the Miya Bengali Muslims. He cited the Assam NRC process, which showed that two-thirds of those identified as foreigners were Hindus, yet the tribunal has unfairly focused on Muslims, resulting in their unjust detention.
Mr.Madani condemned the lack of transparency and fairness in branding individuals as ‘illegal’ foreigners and demanded the immediate release of the 28 detainees. He called for an immediate stay on all proceedings before the Foreigners Tribunal and affirmed that Jamaat-e-Islami Hind will support the victims both legally and morally. He urged civil society and the media to raise awareness about this issue and called on the government to review the situation to ensure that no genuine citizen is wrongly branded a foreigner or harassed. He emphasized the need to protect the dignity and rights of all citizens.
In response to a question, Madani noted that roughly about 450 individuals have been sent to detention centers in Assam.
In response to questions about the current Assam Chief Minister’s anti-Muslim actions and hate speeches, Prof. Salim expressed sadness over the recent trend that political leaders who attack the Muslim community often got good positions in some political parties.
In response to questions about the Waqf bill and the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) seeking feedback on it, Prof. Salim reported that a high-level delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, led by JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini, recently held a detailed meeting with Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. The JIH delegation expressed serious concerns that the proposed bill threatens the autonomy and management of Waqf properties and violates the constitutionally guaranteed rights of minorities. Prof. Salim added that the JPC Chairman agreed to invite the JIH delegation to present its views before the entire JPC in Delhi in the coming days.
Prof. Salim also lamented that many Waqf properties have been encroached upon not only by private individuals or groups but also by the government itself. He emphasized that such encroachments should be addressed and removed first.
