Appeal by Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari to the government of India, Indian citizens and Muslim youth

The communal situation in the country is deteriorating very fast with peace and stability suffering a severe blow. The chain of attacks on minorities, Dalits and other oppressed classes continues unabated in the name of ''gau-raksha'' (cow protection) and other excuses. The spate of mob-lynching rages persistently in trains, buses and public places. Itis highly regrettable that there is a feeling of fear and insecurity among citizens in many places of the country.

Those in power assure us that breaking the law will not be tolerated and the guilty will be awarded exemplary punishment but the reality is that this assurance is not having any impact on the ground. Abrutal incident of mob-lynching took place in Jharkhand on the very day our Prime Minister gave a statement against killing in the name of cow protection. Such incidents are now happening in broad daylight in New Delhi - the capital of the country.

We demand that the government must feel the seriousness and grave nature of this issue. The people of the country feel that these assaulters are related both ideologically and organizationally with the ruling class and this relationship has further emboldened them. In such a situation the responsibility of the government increases even further. The government should immediately take firm political, legal and administrative steps so that the confidence of minorities and other oppressed classes is restored and the mischief mongers get a clear message that any attempt to take the law in ones’ own hands will not be tolerated and the offenders will have to face the full brunt of the law enforcement machinery.

It is very heartening to see that public opinion has been aroused in the entire country against these atrocities and irrespective of caste and creed, all sections of society have spoken in defense and in favor of the victims. This is the true spirit of our nation and its real strength. We support these justice loving people. We must spread this voice of truth and justice and the entire country should stand behind the victims and become united against oppression.

In order to improve the situation, some suggestions have been proposed by civil society members.Especially noteworthy is the proposal to pass a new law against mob-lynching with the provision that if such an incident occurs in any district, then action should be taken against: the police officers deputed in that area, action against those who are spreading venom on social media, arresting those who spread rumors etc. We support these suggestions and demand of the government to immediately accept these recommendations.The government must give a loud and clear message that oppression and violence will not be tolerated and people who take law in their own hands will face strict punishment.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind appeals especially to the Muslim youth that they should not get depressed and loose heart. They should avoid being instigated and avoid giving any emotional reactions. The communal elements want Muslims to either get disheartened or lose hope or should become isolated from the mainstream in this country. We should not use the language of fear and despondency nor use the language of confrontation and communalism. Our emotional reaction and an unbalanced narrative will only help the divisive agenda of the communal forces. We should try our level best to prevent the situation from escalating into becoming a reason for communal and religious strife. According to the teachings of Islam, the most important work in such a situation is to run a vigorous campaign for establishing communications, contacts and connections with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters. We should remove their misunderstandings and apprize them of the true teachings of Islam and enlighten them of its pristine message.We should raise our voice against oppression and injustice hand in hand with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters.

Come let us all pledge together to improve the situation and to maintain the peace and tranquility in our country. We hope to get the cooperation of all well-wishers of our nation and if God wills we will succeed in giving a correct and constructive direction to the nation.

Syed Jalaluddin Umari

Ameer – Jamaat-e-Islami Hind