Israr’s lynching is a consequence of spreading communal poison in society: Dr SQR Ilyas

WPI Delegation meets relatives of the deceased, assuring full support

 – Anwarulhaq Baig

New Delhi, 30 Sep. 23: A delegation from the Welfare Party of India (WPI), led by its National President Dr. SQR Ilyas, visited the home of a mentally challenged Muslim youth, who was recently lynched in Sundar Nagar area here on the allegation of stealing prasad from Ganesh idols.

According to media reports, Mohammad Israr was tied to an electric pole and brutally beaten to death for allegedly consuming some food items such as Prasad, from a Ganesh Pandal in North-East Delhi district.  According to his Aadhaar card, he was 22 years old.

Offering condolences with Israr’s 60-year-old father, Abdul Wahid, and four sisters, the WPI President described it as a heinous act and great injustice with them. Assuring the deceased’s family of providing all possible help, including legal support, and making every effort to ensure swift justice for them, Dr. Ilyas vowed that it would be the party’s top priority to bring all the culprits behind this cruel act to the court of law for severe punishment. On this occasion, the party also provided some financial assistance to the affected family for their basic needs.

Dr. Ilyas pointed out that the police were labelling it as a reaction to the theft allegation, whereas it was, in fact, the result of the increasing influence of communal poison being spread by Hindutva elements among the youth in society. WPI State General Secretary Arif Akhlaq, WPI South East District Secretary Kaif Ahmad, and other party cadre from Seemapuri were part of the delegation.

According to reports, police have arrested seven people including 17-year boy in the case. Deputy Commissioner of police (North East Delhi) Joy Tirkey has denied any communal angle in the incident.

Meanwhile, the CPI (M) has written a letter to the commissioner of police, demanding immediate strong action against all those involved in this hate crime . The CPI(M) Delhi state committee, in its letter called on the police to look into the role of certain extremist groups in spreading religious hatred in the area, also cautioning the Delhi Police about the VHP-RSS designs to escalate the communal violence in Nuh, Haryana to parts of Delhi then. The CPI(M) also asked the Delhi Police for stringent action against such elements promoting communal disharmony.

Condemning the incident, National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) general secretary Muralidharan laments, “incidents of abuse, physical attacks and killings of disabled people are being reported at regular intervals. However, this has acquired a much more dangerous dimension with disabled people being targeted for their religious identity.”

Sharing the purported video, in which some goons are mercilessly beating the youth on its X account, Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) expressed shock over the incident and wrote, “This is India’s capital city where a 26-year-old disabled Muslim man named Mohammed Israr was tied to a pole and lynched by a Hindu mob for allegedly consuming prasad (sweets) at a temple.”

As mob lynching incidents, mainly targeting Muslims, continue to escalate in the country, there is a growing demand for the enactment of a law against mob lynching. Several Muslims have been lynched or attacked by Hindu mobs over minor issues or suspicions. Source:  radiancenews.com

SM Asif: A Beacon of Journalism

                           

 

– Anwarulhaq Baig

 

New Delhi, 21 Sep, 2023: Senior Urdu journalist, founder, and editor-in-chief of Urdu and Hindi daily Indinon and English These Days, Syed Mohammad Asif passed away Wednesday in New Delhi, following a brain haemorrhage. He was 70. He had been undergoing treatment at a hospital here.

 

Born on December 27, 1953, he launched the daily Indinon from Patna, Bihar in 1975, after completing his education.

 

After gaining popularity for its unique content and news coverage, Late Asif gradually launched the newspaper’s New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Jaipur and Saharanpur editions. He made a unique history by simultaneously publishing the daily in three languages. Known for his helping nature, he trained and mentored numerous writers and journalists, many of whom are now making invaluable contributions to society.

 

Active in both social and political arenas, Late Asif founded the All India Minorities Front in 1998 and was elected its president. Always advocating for communal amity and brotherhood, SM Asif consistently raised his voice for the country’s oppressed and marginalized sections through this front. He steadfastly stood with minorities in case of injustices inflicted upon them and became their voice. He also actively helped victims and those affected during calamities or riots.

 

Late Asif was conferred with many awards for his outstanding contributions to the field of journalism. He is survived by his wife and two daughters including Lubna Asif, editor of the newspaper. His great contributions to Urdu journalism will be remembered for a long time.

 

His funeral prayers were attended by noted personalities, including community leaders and journalists. He was laid to rest at the Batla House graveyard in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, on Wednesday evening.

RadianceNews.com

JIH, Jamiat, WPI applaud Supreme Court’s move against ‘media trials’

– Anwarulhaq Baig

New Delhi, 18 Sep, 2023: The largest Muslim organizations of India, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind have applauded the recent order of the Supreme Court, in which it directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to frame guidelines within three months for press briefings by police during criminal investigations, intending to prevent them from becoming ‘media trials.’

Speaking to the Radiance, JIH Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer has lauded the order and reacted that it should have been taken earlier. Considering this a positive step, Prof. Salim has highlighted the potential for misuse of such press briefings, which can have a detrimental impact on the justice system. He highlighted how this practice of press briefings tarnishes an individual’s reputation by prematurely labelling an accused as a criminal before his conviction.

Describing it as an injustice to the accused, the JIH Vice President has cautioned that it creates obstacles in the pursuit of justice, potentially influencing the outcomes of cases. He has called for stricter control and regulation of this practice.

Coming down heavily on the ‘media trials’, a Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra on Sept. 13, 2023, asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to frame guidelines within three months for press briefings by police in criminal cases.

Welcoming the order of the apex court against ‘media trials’, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani pointed out that a section of media was spreading hatred between communities.

Responding to a question, Maulana Madani has reminded that the Constitution has granted every citizen the freedom of expression. However, he has emphasized that freedom of speech does not grant permission to the media to engage in deliberate harassment or character assassination of minorities, particularly Muslims.

He added, “But in recent years, the continuous negative and biased reporting about Muslims by a section of media, especially electronic media, has posed a threat to the freedom and lives of Muslims. This clearly goes against the basic right to life as enshrined in the Constitution.”

Expressing his disappointment with the media’s tendency to act as judge and jury in cases involving Muslims, often portraying Muslim accused as criminals, Maulana Madani noted that the media remained silent when a Muslim accused was acquitted.

Appreciating the directives of the Supreme Court to the MHA, Welfare Party of India (WPI) President Dr. SQR Ilyas said, “In many cases, it is the media which make an innocent guilty in the eyes of the people before the pronouncement of the judgment. It is an established judicial norm that a person is innocent till provena guilty by the court of law. Even police leak incorrect information to media and on that half-truth and in most of the cases sheer lies media makes a mountain out of a molehill.”

In its order, the apex court also called upon the Director Generals of Police (DGPs) from all states to provide their input and suggestions for these guidelines. The case will be further reviewed in the second week of January once the MHA prepares the handbook.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also been instructed to contribute to it. To ensure objectivity, the court emphasized that police disclosures during media briefings should not result in a ‘media trial’.  The SC issued this directive in response to a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) related to police encounters.

RadianceNews.com

Dr. Syed Ahmed Khan conferred Bhagirathi Award 2023 for his outstanding contributions

 Anwarulhaq Baig

New Delhi; September 17, 2023: Dr. Syed Ahmed Khan, former Deputy Director and head of the Unani Medical Centre at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, has been conferred with the prestigious Bhagirathi Award 2023 in a ceremony.

Dr. Khan, who is General Secretary of All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC) was awarded for his exceptional contributions by the chairman of Delhi State Congress Committee Doctor Cell, Dr. R.B. Singh, and founder president of the Bhagirathi Samajik Sanskritik Manch, Mahant Suresh Sharma of Hanuman Temple, Connaught Place, New Delhi.

On this occasion, a former Member of the Parliament and senior leader of the Congress, Jai Prakash Agarwal presented a shield, certificate and shawl to awardees.

The Bhagirathi Award ceremony is an annual event held near the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place, New Delhi. The award ceremony is organized by the social organization known as the Bhagirathi Samajik Sanskritik Manch, with an aim to honour noted personalities who have made remarkable contributions in different fields.

Dr. Khan, who received numerous prestigious awards for his exceptional contributions to the field of the Unani system of medicine, retired in May 2022. He dedicated over 30 years to CCRUM, the apex government organization for Unani Medicine research, serving in various roles from Research Officer to Deputy Director.

In his congratulatory message, the president of the AIUTC Dr. Shakeel Ahmed hailed Dr. Khan and said that the award was a symbol of communal amity, especially in such a challenging time.

Acknowledging the collaborative spirit the award represents, Dr. Shakeel also conveyed his appreciation to the Bhagirathi Manch. He said, “Although Dr. Syed Ahmad has already received honours from both government and non-government organisations, this award holds great significance because it not only gives an honour but also promotes the Indian tradition of mutual respect and communal harmony.”

Other office bearers and key members of the All India Unani Medical Congress also extended their congratulations to Dr. Khan.

RadianceNews.com

Crackdown on ‘media trial’: SC asks MHA to frame guidelines within 3 months

– Anwarulhaq Baig

New Delhi, 13 Sep. 2023: In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to frame comprehensive guidelines within three months on press briefings by police during criminal investigations to stop them from turning into media trials.

Coming down heavily on the ‘media trials’, a Bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra said today that the media trial led to deflection from the course of justice.

Stressing the need for updated guidelines, as the existing ones were issued over a decade ago, the apex court observed that now reportage of criminal cases in print and electronic media has evolved radically.

Asking to make a balance between the fundamental right to free speech and expression, and the rights of the accused to a fair probe, the Supreme Court observed that media reportage which implicated an accused during a trial was unfair. Adding that media reports can also violate the privacy of victims, the court has pointed out that biased reporting leads to public suspicion that the person has committed a crime.

The apex court also called upon the Director Generals of Police (DGPs) from all states to provide their input and suggestions for these guidelines. The case will be further reviewed in the second week of January once the MHA prepares the handbook.  The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also been instructed to contribute to it.

To ensure objectivity, the court emphasized that police disclosures during media briefings should not result in a “media trial”.

The SC issued this directive in response to a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) related to police encounters.

According to the Livelaw, the focus of this directive centres on two critical aspects. First, it concerns the procedures to be followed by the police during encounters, and secondly, it addresses the protocols that must be observed when police conduct media briefings amid ongoing criminal investigations. While the former was addressed in a 2014 judgment, the SC has now shifted its attention to the latter.

Amicus Curiae and Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan has argued that police disclosures during investigations not only impact the rights of victims and accused but also the overall rule of law. This directive signifies a significant step toward ensuring a balanced and impartial approach to media briefings in criminal cases.

The next hearing has been scheduled for the second week of January next.

Harshly criticising, while speaking at the 16th Ramnath Goenka Awards function, earlier this year, CJI Chandrachud said, “the Media trial can have long lasting repercussions as it creates narratives which make a person guilty in the eyes of the public even before being convicted by a court.”

RadianceNews .com

Nawab Begum of Bhopal: First woman chancellor of a university

– Anwarulhaq Baig, September 7, 2023

Little do people know that Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum also known as the Nawab Begum of Bhopal, served as the founding Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) from 1920 until her death in 1930. She holds the distinction of being the first woman Chancellor of any Indian University. As of now, she is the only woman to have served as the Chancellor of AMU.

She played a significant role in the establishment of AMU and was a pivotal figure in the Aligarh Movement, which aimed to promote modern education in India. Sultan Jahan Begum’s tenure as Chancellor marked a turning point in AMU’s history. She was a staunch advocate for modern education and played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s early years.

Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum was not only a patron of education but also a philanthropist, prolific writer, and public health reformer.

She was the last female ruler of the second largest Muslim princely state of Bhopal. The longest known matrilineal reign of the world, started in 1819 when Qudsia Begum succeeded her husband Nazar Mohammad Khan as the ruler of Bhopal. It was lasted till 1926, when Sultan Jahan Begum abdicated the throne in favour of her only surviving son, Nawab Hamidullah Khan. The four Muslim women rulers have left lasting impact on the capital city of Madhya Pradesh – Bhopal, also known as the ‘city of lakes’.

Following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, Sultan Jahan initiated various public welfare works, particularly establishing numerous educational institutions in Bhopal, introducing free and compulsory primary education in 1918. Focusing female education, she played a significant role in expanding technical institutes and schools and increasing the number of qualified teachers during her reign.

Besides education, Nawab Begum made significant contributions to public health, improving water supply systems, and raising standards of hygiene and sanitation. She also wrote several books on education, health, and other topics. Her legacy continues to inspire generations.

RadianceNews.com

WPI chief Dr Ilyas meets the 7-yr student who was beaten in UP school, extends all support to him

– Anwarulhaq Baig

New Delhi, Aug 30: The president of Welfare Party of India (WPI), Dr S.Q.R. Ilyas has met Altamash, a 7-year-old kindergarten student, who was recently beaten up by his classmates on teacher’s instruction in a school in Muzaffarnagar district, UP, due to his religion.

Dr Ilyas today visited Khubbapur village and met the victim of communal hatred and his father Irshad Ahmad to console them and assure them of all support.

According to WPI, Mr. Irshad, who belongs to a very poor family, has three children and Altamash is the youngest one.

Narrating his kid’s ordeal in the school, Mr Irshad told Dr Ilyas that the teacher was regularly targeting Muslim students. “This time his child was completely shaken. Still, he has not come out of trauma,” added the father of the victim.

Extending some financial aid to Altamash for his education, the WPI chief assured the family that the party would continue to support them whenever needed.

After the outrage from all quarters, authorities on Sunday informed that Neha Public School in Muzaffarnagar, where Altamash was beaten by his classmates, had been shut for a few days, awaiting an inquiry.

According to the District Magistrate, a First Information Report has been registered against the accused teacher, Tripta Tyagi. However, according to media reports, the teacher has defended her actions as a “minor issue”.

The youth organisation Fraternity Movement’s President Mohammad Asim, WPI Meerut District head Ateequr Rahman, UP chief of Adarsh Yuva Manch Dr Zubair Ahmad, Manch’s general secretary Mohd Arif and Mr Mohammad Shafiq accompanied Dr Ilyas.

Radiancenews.com

MTB director asks teachers to spare 15 minutes daily for learning modern digital methods of education

 Anwarulhaq Baig

Pune; August 30, 2023: Markazi Taleemi Board (MTB) director Syed Tanveer Ahmed has suggested teachers to spare at least 15 minutes a day for learning modern digital methods of education.

Addressing teachers in a seminar on ‘New Education Policy (NEP) and National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ recently organized by All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) at Azam Campus, Pune, the MTB director said, “The swift technological development has brought about revolutionary changes in all sectors of the world, including education. In the present era, efforts are being made to popularise the concept of collective learning, especially the development of mind and consciousness.”

Talking about teaching methods, he explained the stages of motivating students, practical application of education, analysis and study of acquired knowledge, evaluation and creativity. He also talked about personality development and change in thinking about parent-child relationships.

The MTB director mentioned various aspects of the NEP’s National Curriculum Framework, including value education, importance of education in the mother tongue, substantial change in overall attitude and efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

Presiding over the seminar, AIITA’s Maharashtra President Syed Sharif has urged teachers to constantly improve their knowledge and adopt various curricular and extra-curricular methods for the all-round development of the students.

Briefly mentioning various activities and future plans of AIITA, especially its national education campaign, AIITA’s all-India media coordinator Momin Faheem Ahmad Abdul Bari emphasised the importance of positive thinking and training along with education. At the end, certificates were awarded to all the participants.

Source: RadianceNews.com

Maulana Gulzar Azmi: A true liberator of Muslim youths implicated in false cases

 Maulana Gulzar Azmi: A true liberator of Muslim youths implicated in false cases

August 25, 2023

Anwarulhaq Baig

Mumbai: Maulana Gulzar Ahmed Azmi, a staunch fighter for the oppressed people, especially innocent Muslim youth, implicated in false terror and criminal cases, and a prominent figure of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in Maharashtra passed away in a hospital in Mumbai on August 20. He was 89. He was receiving treatment in hospital but succumbed to his head injury after a slip-and-fall incident.

Heading a legal aid committee of the Jamiat-i-Ulama Maharashtra since its inception in 2007, Maulana Azmi was fearlessly offering legal aid to the people implicated in false cases by government agencies and the police.

Maulana Azmi was born in Mumbai on May 1, 1934. After getting primary education at a Urdu medium school, he went to Darul Uloom Deoband to complete higher education in Islamic studies. After joining Jamiat in 1954, Azmi held key positions from the local head to the state’s vice president.  His journey in the quest for justice and civil rights started in the aftermath of the Bhiwandi and Jalgaon riots in 1970, when hundreds of Muslims were arrested, despite suffering heavy losses during the violence. The Jamiat came forward for the first time to get them released.

After the 1992-1993 Mumbai riots, Maulana Azmi assisted the Srikrishna Commission, set up by the Government of Maharashtra to investigate the causes of the riots. Remarkably, the Commission in its findings, praised Jamiat-i-Ulama for helping it in collecting key evidence. Even Maulana Azmi himself translated the inquiry report into Urdu. Due to his resilient support, Jamiat has extended legal help to hundreds of accused in many cases, running across the country.

Maulana Azmi never cowed down the allegations or threats to his life while defending civil rights cases. When asked about an imminent threat in defending the terror accused, he bravely replied that he did not fear for his life as he firmly believed that the time and place of his death were already decided.  He was active and remained involved in his routine legal aid activities even at 90.

Azmi has been a member of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission from 2002-2005, and again in 2014. He is survived by six sons and three daughters. Expressing deep grief over his death, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani said Gulzar Azmi was associated with Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani and Jamiat at a very young age and spent his entire life serving the country and the community. RadianceNews.com

Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi (1940-2023)

Anwarulhaq Baig

August 23, 2023: 

Bangladesh’s popular Islamic figure, former Member of Jatiya Sangsad and Vice President Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi died on August 14, in a prison hospital in Dhaka following cardiac arrest. He was 83.

Allama Sayeedi was a popular Islamic preacher, writer and influential orator, having millions of fan followers.  Thousands of people came out on the streets to protest over his death, alleging negligence of prison authorities.

Allama Sayeedi was arrested on June 29, 2010, on charges of hurting religious sentiments. However, he was detained in a case of crimes against humanity on August 2, 2010. Later, a controversial war crimes tribunal sentenced him to death in 2013. His trial was criticised by international organisations, including HRW and AI while the defence lawyers boycotted the trial, dubbing the charges baseless and politically motivated. The Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment in September 2014, after facing global backlash. Several groups including the main opposition BNP and BJI raised serious questions over the legitimacy of the tribunal. Since his arrest, he spent 13 years of his life in prison. Bangladesh Jamaat accused the authorities of ‘slowly turning him into a martyr without treatment in prison.’

Born in Indurkani village of Pirojpur district on February 2, 1940, Allama Sayeedi completed his first religious education at his father’s Madrasa, attended the Sarsina Alia Madrasa in 1962, followed by Khulna Alia Madrasa. Later, he studied various languages, religions, sciences, politics, economics, foreign policy, psychology and various theories. He joined Bangladesh Jamaat in 1979 and became a Shura member in 1989. He served as BJI Vice President from 2009 till his demise.

BJI Acting President and former lawmaker Professor Mujibur Rahman led his funeral prayer at the Allama Sayeedi Foundation Ground in Pirojpur on August 15. Allama Sayeedi was laid to rest in the family cemetery in Machimpur, Pirojpur Municipality. Later, funeral prayers in absentia were held at various places across the country.By

Radiancenews.com

MediaOne Ban: Freedom of Press and Sealed Cover Jurisprudence

 

By Anwarulhaq Baig

NEW DELHI; November 16, 2022: India’s position has slipped from 142nd to 150th among 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index, while its tiny neighbour Nepal has climbed by 30 points, reaching 76th.

Recently, in a related matter, the Supreme Court has reserved its judgement over the ban on the Malayalam TV news channel – MediaOne.

The Union Government imposed the ban earlier this year, citing ‘national security’ reasons.

The union government submitted the documents supporting the ban argument in a ‘sealed cover’ before the Kerala High Court after MediaOne’s chief editor and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists challenged the central government’s ban order. However, the government did not disclose the content of the letter to MediaOne, which obstructed the TV channel from fighting its case in court strongly.

However, the Kerala High Court justified the government in submitting the documents in a ‘sealed cover’ and upheld the ban by not renewing its broadcast license.

But the main contention is: Can a ruling dispensation put a blanket ban on media outlets just by citing national security reasons or in the public interest, without disclosing the contents of the ‘sealed cover’ to the opposite party?

The question is essential because the matter involves freedom of the press guaranteed under Section 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution.

In a judgement on October 30, 1972, the Supreme Court told the Union Government, “It is indisputable that by freedom of the press is meant the right of all citizens to speak, publish and express their views. The freedom of the press embodies the right of the people to read. The freedom of the press is not antithetical to the right of the people to speak and express.”

While reserving the judgment in the matter on November 3, 2022, the two-Judge bench of the apex court, comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Hima Kohli, questioned the government for not sharing reasons with the petitioner for denying the channel’s security clearance.

During the hearing, Advocates Dushyant Dave, Huzefa Ahmadi, and Mukul Rohtagi, appearing for MediaOne, argued that the government should have, at least, shared a redacted copy of the ‘sealed cover’ documents with the other side so that they could defend themselves with a clear understanding. The advocates contended that the government had denied the petitioner’s right to defend themselves in the name of ‘sealed cover’ files, a breach of natural justice.

Supporting the channel’s argument, the bench observed that the Government should have given a chance to the TV channel to present its case in the light of sealed cover files.

Adv Dave, appearing for Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd, the company that runs MediaOne, contended that security clearance is not required at the time of renewal of uplinking permission under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. He added that security clearance is merely needed when applying for a fresh licence.  Citing Arun Shourie’s case in 2014, Dave argued that the apex court had refused to accept the sealed cover documents. In P Chidambaram’s case of 2019, the Court held that denial of bail on the ground of sealed cover documents was unfair.

Appearing for MediaOne’s Chief Editor Pramod Raman, Adv Huzefa Ahmadi submitted that evasive phrases were used to not provide the specific ground for denying renewal of permission to MediaOne by the Government through its show cause notice. He argued that if a court accepts the claims of the Government in the present case, then any news channel whose views do not match with the ruling party’s can be banned simply stating that it breaches ‘national security’ and ‘public order’. Ahmadi also raised the issue of freedom of the press contemplated in Article 19(2) of the Constitution.

Appearing on behalf of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Adv Rohatgi criticized the whole procedure followed by the government to ban the channel and called it merely a formality devoid of the true spirit of natural justice. He argued that using language like ‘sensitive in nature’, ‘secret in nature’, and ‘matter of policy’ in the showcause notice and the subsequent order of the I&B Ministry does not pass the muster of Article 19(2) of the Constitution.

Justice Chandrachud asked the Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the Union Government, “Mr Nataraj, the only thing is that the security clearance is granted or denied by a third party. What is the remedy then for a citizen who is denied permission?” Justice Chandrachud told ASG, “Essence of court proceedings is that anything relied on by one party should be disclosed to the other party. You (Union Government) are not saying they are offenders. Even when you file a charge sheet, however sensitive it is, the charge sheet discloses all the material. We are not even at that threshold. Here you are on security clearance. You may redact your sources of information, but can you decline the information based on which you are arriving at this conclusion? Even in detention under the National Security Act, you have to give grounds for detention. Now here you merely say that MHA has denied security clearance…the party should know what the breach of national security is.”

Pointing out that the Government does not even charge MediaOne for committing an offence before revoking its licence, the SC asked the ASG to justify the ban on the channel, which is already running for the last ten years. After seeing the ‘sealed cover’ files, the SC bench observed that some contents appear to be ‘vague’.

The MediaOne channel first got a telecasting license from I & B Ministry in 2011 for ten years. However, in January this year, the Ministry refused to renew its license, stating that the Union Home Ministry denied its security clearance due to ‘National Security’. When the ban was challenged in the Kerala High Court, the Union government had produced documents in a sealed cover to support the ban, which was not disclosed to the channel.

Relying on the sealed cover files, the single-judge bench of the Kerala high court upheld the ban on February 8, 2022. Later, the Malayalam channel filed an intra-court appeal against the High Court order, but the Kerala High Court dismissed it on March 2, 2022. 

Making strong remarks against the ‘sealed cover jurisprudence’, the Supreme Court delivered an interim order on March 15, 2022, staying the ban until final judgment, and allowing the channel to resume its operations. On March 15, Justice Chandrachud observed that he opposed the ‘sealed cover jurisprudence’. The court also expressed its intention to examine the larger issue of ‘sealed cover jurisprudence’, especially in the background of bans on media houses, including MediaOne. On the same day, in another case, the then Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana, too, reprimanded a counsel, “Please do not give sealed cover reports in this court. We will not accept it.”

Now, the apex court will decide whether judgements can be delivered just by relying on documents in a ‘sealed cover’.

indiatomorrow.net

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expresses concern over reports of human rights violations in Jammu & Kashmir

 

New Delhi, 30 Nov.2021: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has expressed concern over reports of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

 

In a media statement, the JIH President said: “We are extremely concerned after reading the recent reports of civilian deaths in encounters in Kashmir. We are also disturbed to know that the families of those killed had to face great difficulties and delays in getting their bodies. The arrest of a prominent human rights activist by the NIA is also quite disconcerting. Terming civilians caught in the cross-fire, as part of the Over the Ground Worker (OGW) network, does not add to the credibility of the police which is not exactly very high in the eyes of the general public”.

 

Supporting the demand of an independent judicial probe into the encounter that resulted in death of civilians, Mr. Husaini said that justice should be done accordingly. He said, “the perception that exists in the minds of the Kashmiris that the government is trying to shield the guilty officials and soldiers and not ready to take any action against them will be further strengthened if such incidents keep occurring without any consequence and action by the government.”

 

Mr. Husaini has reiterated the JIH’s long-standing position that the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved by talks, consultation and dialogue with the people of the state and their representatives. “Upholding democratic values and democratic institutions seems to be on the decline and it needs to be revived and strengthened. We wish to remind the government of its promise and responsibility to restore statehood and conduct elections at the earliest”, he added.

Muslim leaders say Tripura’s anti-Muslim violence tarnishes India’s image; demand inquiry into the role of police, actions against culprits

 

 

New Delhi, 06 Nov. 2021: Leaders of the four leading Muslim organisations of the country have demanded an inquiry into the role of the state police and administration in Tripura’s anti-Muslim violence, which tarnished the image of India, globally.

 

They were addressing a joint press conference today here at Press Club of India, orgniased by All India Muslim Majlis- e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadees Hind and All India Milli Council, subsequently returning from Tripura’s violence affected areas. A joint delegation comprising of AIMMM Presdient Navaid Hamid, JIH Vice President Prof Salim Engineer, JIH Secretary Maulana Shafi Madani, Jamiat AhleHadees secretary Maulana Sheesh Taimi and Milli Council’s Shams Tabrez Qasmi visited the affected areas of state from 31^st Oct. to 2^nd Nov. 2021. They were joined by the state leaders of JIH, Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) and Imarat-e-Shariah (North-East).  According to the delegation’s report as many as 16 mosques were attacked in various parts of Tripura including two in the state capital Agartala, of which four were totally burnt down, and even copies of the Holy Quran were not spared.

 

Addressing the media persons, the community leaders have lamented that the Tripura violence tarnished the image of the country and it showed that the government is incapable of protecting the minorities and their places of worship.

 

Addressing the press conference, AIMMM president Navaid Hamid said, “Tripura does not have a history of communal violence and strife but ever since communal people have taken charge of the helm of affairs in the state, such incidents of communal violence and vandalism have started taking place. It seems that the communal violence in Tripura is a part of a political agenda to create communal and religious polarization throughout the country for political gains in other states, where assembly elections are fast approaching. The delegation stayed in Tripura for three days and met the victims, the local population including non-Muslims. We tried to meet the CM of Tripura and the DG Police, but they did not meet the delegation. These incidents of violence and vandalism did not occur spontaneously. They appear to be orchestrated. People were incited and provoked against Muslims. Promoting hate against a community is a big crime. Mosques were especially targeted so that the Muslim community is demoralized and their identity is attacked. They should be terrorized and become victims of fear and anxiety. This is extremely damaging for both Tripura and the entire country.”

 

Speaking on the occasion, JIH Vice President Prof. Salim expressed shock over the filing of cases and invoking the anti-terror law like UAPA against members of the fact find teams, journalists and activists for sharing the news of the anti-Muslim violence, instead of taking strong action against miscreants and rioters. He said, “the police and the administration should have taken timely action against the perpetrators of violence. If timely action were taken, then maybe these incidents of violence and vandalism could have been prevented. The anti-social elements and communal mischief mongers are emboldened by the belief that they will be shielded by the government.” 

 

Condemning the sharing of fake news and images on social media to create communal strife, hatred and fear among communities, Prof. Salim Engineer said, “We must check that and should not forward such content. In Tripura too, such fake news was created to spread fear and hatred. Islam also teaches us to verify news before spreading it.”

 

The press conference was also addressed by Milli Council’s Shams Tabriz Qasmi and Pervez Miyan. However, Muslim leaders expressed some satisfaction over the role of the common citizens of Tripura who have not participated in the unlawful activities of the goons of VHP and Bajrang Dal and had maintained peace and amity. “It is also noteworthy that Muslim community in spite of being the target of the perpetrators of violence had not reacted to any of the provocations and had maintained peace and tranquillity,” they added.

 

Muslims leaders, during the press conference jointly demanded the government to conduct an inquiry to find out the police officers who committed dereliction of duty during the violence. They said, “We feel that the police and the administration are directly under the state government and so the state government is also responsible for the violence in Tripura. The state government is yet to initiate any big action against those who perpetuated violence. We also demanded that the Tripura government should provide adequate compensation to the victims, repair the mosques that have been vandalized. The government must identify and arrest the culprits behind the dreadful incidents of violence that took place in Panisagar. The police have all the footage of the violence. Those police officers who did not prevent the violence should also be subject to enquiry and action must be taken against them.”