Jamaat-e-Islami Hind demands judicial enquiry into violent Assam's Dholpur eviction, demands immediate rehabilitation of homeless

 

 Eviction drive in Dholpur, Assam.

New Delhi, 25 Sept. 2021:  Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has condemned the police firing and Dholpur Eviction in Assam and demanded immediate rehabilitation to the homeless.

 

JIH Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer said that more than 900 families were evicted mercilessly with utter disregard to all legal norms and international humanitarian obligations. He said, "the evicted urgently need food, shelter and legal assistance. The police firing on the homeless protestors resulted in the death of two and many seriously injured. The state government of Assam must take full responsibility for this and ensure that justice is delivered to the victims by punishing the concerned officials and police officers behind such a cruel attack. We hope that the report of the judicial enquiry is made public as soon as possible. We demand compensation of Rs.one Crore each to the families of the two deceased and Rs. 50 lakh each to the seriously injured".

 

Prof Salim Engineer maintained that ever since the BJP came to power in Assam, it started eviction of thousands of people in areas dominated by those from the minority community.  He said, "around 3 months back, 300 families were evicted in Dhuburi district. Two years back, around 445 families were evicted from Chotea area of Biswanath district who are still homeless."

 

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind pointed out that the Human Rights - Fact Sheet 21 document issued by UN Habitat, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recognized the right to adequate housing contains freedoms. 

 

These freedoms include: "(1) Protection against forced evictions and the arbitrary destruction and demolition of one’s home; (2) The right to be free from arbitrary interference with one’s home, privacy and family; and (3) The right to choose one’s residence, to determine where to live and to freedom of movement. India has ratified this international law guaranteeing housing as a basic human right. The Supreme Court of India, in several judgements, has also held that the human right to adequate housing is a fundamental right emanating from the right to life protected by Article 21 of the Constitution of India. However, the BJP government in Assam does not seem to care about this legal and moral obligation. It is accusing the poor and homeless as “encroachers” and “illegal-residents" that can be dispensed like criminals in a bid to demonstrate development and progress. These evictions go against the basic tenets of our Constitution and must be rolled back and instead steps should be taken to rehabilitate them suitably at the earliest".

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind chief calls for immediate release of renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui

 

New Delhi, 25Sept. 2021:  Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has called for the immediate release of renowned Islamic scholar  Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui.

 

Calling the arrest of Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui a matter of concern for all justice-loving citizens of the country,  the  JIH President has demanded the UP government to withdraw all charges against him and  release him immediately. Mr. Husaini said, "Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui is a respected personality not only among Muslims but also among non-Muslims. His arrest has caused great discomfort to a large section of society. The arrest of Maulana Siddiqui has once again raised many questions about the UP government. The arrest is also being seen as a malicious attempt to promote Hindu-Muslim hatred in the context of the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh”.

 

Mr.Husaini has reminded the government as well as the police that the practice and propagation of religion and faith is a fundamental, human and constitutional right of every citizen of this country. "In the same way, our Constitution has given every citizen – the freedom of conscience to adopt whatever ideology or belief one chooses. Any attempt to curtail or restrict these freedoms would be callous and unconstitutional. It is the responsibility of all concerned citizens of the country to oppose these nefarious attempts. We also want to make it clear that changing one’s beliefs by force or by way of allurement is not only against the teachings of Islam but also against its basic tenets. Anyone who knows Islam cannot do that”, he added.

 

The JIH Chief maintained that the reality of the allegations against Maulana can be understood in the context of various revered, respected but anti-establishment members of society being subjected to different types of accusations and harassment.  He continued, "The misuse of police and law enforcement agencies against political opponents is perilous for the future of our country. It seems that the UP government does not have any worthwhile performance to show to its electorate. That is why it is regularly taking steps to create sectarian divisions and tensions. Attempts to gain or maintain political power by spreading hatred in the society are detrimental to the entire state and the country as a whole”.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President says imperialist forces should learn lesson from Afghanistan; calls to make it an ideal Islamic welfare state

 

New Delhi: Commenting on the political changes in Afghanistan, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has hoped that these changes will end years of unrest and bloodshed in the country and restore peace and order in the region and help to reinstate the rights of the Afghan people.

 

In a press statement, the JIH President said, “20 years ago, the overthrow of the Afghan government through military action, the brutal atrocities on innocent civilians by colonial and imperialist forces, the series of bombings and raids on its cities and the constant attempts to impose the will of foreign powers on the Afghan people is a reprehensible chapter of recent history. It is gratifying to note that the perseverance and struggle of the Afghan people resulted in the withdrawal of the imperialist forces from their country.”

 

Mr. Husaini said that the imperialist powers should learn a lesson from this episode and forever refrain from the policy of unnecessary interference in the affairs of poor countries to further their own vested interests. He asserted that the United Nations and the international community should also learn a lesson from this and put in place a strong process to prevent the manipulation and interference of weaker nations at the hands of powerful countries. He expressed happiness and satisfaction that the transfer of power was completed peacefully without much bloodshed.

 

The JIH President drew the attention of the Taliban to the fact that the eyes of the whole world are now on them and are closely monitoring their behaviour and actions. “The Taliban have the opportunity to present to the world a practical example of the benevolent and merciful system of Islam. We would like to draw their attention to the fact that Islam is the advocate of peace and well-being. It gives freedom of belief. The protection of the lives and property of all human beings, including minorities, is of paramount importance to Islam. Islam is also very sensitive about women’s rights. We hope that the new rulers of Afghanistan will strictly adhere to these teachings of Islam and set an example before the world of an Islamic Welfare State where everyone is free from fear and terror and lives a peaceful and prosperous life with equal opportunity to flourish and prosper. We also hope that a new government shall soon be established in Afghanistan by popular vote in the democratic and consultative spirit of Islam that represents all sections of the country and one that shall prove to be a source of lasting unity and stability among the Afghan people. Reports that the Taliban have announced a general amnesty, assured peace and order to Sikhs, Hindus and other minorities, and hinted at dialogue and co-operation with all countries of the world are welcome,” he added.

 

Commenting on Indo-Afghan relations, the JIH chief has said that our country India and Afghanistan have a long-standing and healthy relationship. He continued, “In recent years, India has also played an important role in the development of Afghanistan. We hope that this warmth and solid relations will continue and be further strengthened. We also wish to remind the Government of India of its responsibility to initiate healthy relations with the new Afghan government and to play its part in building and developing Afghanistan and ensuring peace and security throughout South Asia.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra announces Rs 1.5 Crore rehabilitation package for Konkan flood victims

 

Mumbai: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Maharashtra President Rizwanur Rahman Khan along with state Vice President Syed Zameer Qadri visited the Konkan flood hit areas like Chiplun, Mahad and other towns. They spoke to the flood victims, assuring them of all possible support. Meetings were held with several social workers and heads of community centres and NGOs to discuss plans of rehabilitation.  Mr. Rizwan has said that all social organizations need to come together and cooperate with each other to carry out the rehabilitation task, ensuring that no flood victim is left out.  The JIH state chief has also announced Rs.1,50,00,000/- (1.5 Crore Rupees) rehabilitation project for the flood affected victims. He said, “people who have lost their livelihood in this calamity will be helped in restarting their businesses. Also, houses which have been destroyed or partially damaged will be reconstructed or repaired. A proper survey has been initiated to facilitate this process.”

 

Following the devastating flood in the Konkan region, the JIH Maharashtra along with affiliated organisations and its sister bodies had commenced the relief operation from 23^rd July. The JIH cadre is now being assisted in this task by members of the Ideal Relief Committee Trust, IRW, Youth Wing, Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) and Medical Service Society (MSS). The volunteers have not only distributed cooked food, medicines, bottled water and blankets, but they have also cleaned wells, roads, schools and residential buildings and houses, making them usable. They were professionally trained to work in such an emergency situation.

 

Briefing on relief efforts, the JIH Maharashtra said, “a team led by the organisation itself, also comprising members of the Youth Wing, IRW, MSS and SIO from Mumbai and Thane had reached the worst hit town Chiplun (Ratnagiri district),  on 24th July with two truckloads of relief material. Later, several other teams from Mumbai, Solapur, Parli, Pune, Nagpur, Nanded and other cities joined with them to execute the relief operation. They are still on the ground, engaging in all sorts of relief work. After the survey, the JIH has provided 1500 kitchen kits sets so far in Chiplun, Murad Nagar, Rajewadi and Kondeote. Till date, JIH has distributed about 3400 bottles of water, 4200 food packets, ration kits to 500 families, medicines and 1500 emergency lights. More than one lakh rupees has been distributed as emergency aid among 40 families. As many as 14 wells and seven water tanks have been cleaned in Chiplun so far. Several schools, buildings and mosques have also been cleaned. The JIH has set up a medical camp in the affected area because such calamity can potentially increase the risk of infectious or epidemic diseases. A mobile medical van is also being used to address the health concerns of the affected people. So far over 500 patients have benefitted from this effort. 50 houses of Mahad and Rajewadi have been surveyed. Cleaning material has been provided to more than 800 families.

 

The JIH state unit has appealed to all the people to lend a helping hand to this relief and rehabilitation effort by their contribution.

Organisations, community leaders raise questions over arrest of Maulana Umar Gautam, Mufti Qazi Jahangir Qasmi

 

Maulana Umar Gautam, Mufti Jahangir Qasmi

 

New Delhi, 29 June 2021: Various organisation and leaders including Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Jamiat Ulama Hind, SIO, former Delhi Minority commissioner Dr ZafarulIslam Khan, renowned Shia scholar Renowned Shia scholar Maulana Kalbe Jawad have raised serious questions over the arrest of Maulana Umar Gautam and Mufti Qazi Jahangir Alam Qasmi.

 

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad recently arrested them on several charges and now they are being investigated.

 

In a statement, JIH Vice President Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer has strongly condemned their arrest and called it completely against the justice. He said, “the manner in which they were arrested and are being implicated in serious charges and the way a section of the media is overreacting, it clearly shows that attempts are being made to exploit public sentiments by creating a charged atmosphere of fear, intimidation and hatred for political mileage. Such attempts to divert attention from the real public issues to create a sentimental atmosphere in view of the UP Assembly elections to be held eight months later, are very regrettable.”He said, “Our Constitution gives every citizen the right to choose, practice and propagate the religion of his choice. No one can deprive him of this right. Making unfounded allegation of terrorism and threaten to invoke stringent laws like NSA and seizure of property are tantamount to challenge the democracy and the Indian Constitution.” Urging justice loving people, organizations and the political parties to raise their voices against such injustices, Prof. Salim Engineer said that they should take steps to protect the rights of citizens.

 

 Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind-M leader Maulana Mahmood Madani has said that the manner in which Omar Gautam and others have been arrested on charges of forcible conversion and the way in which the media is presenting the case is highly reprehensible. He said, "in the case of minorities and weaker sections, it has become a common trend for the media to become judges and present them as criminals. In the past, a similar attitude was adopted towards the Tablighi Jamaat. As a result, those who are accused have to suffer a lot, and the people associated with them have to suffer a lot, and later when the courts acquit them, the same media shrouds them." He said that Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind will pursue the case of Omar Gautam and others in court.

 

Senior member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana Kalbe Jawad has raised questions over the working of ATS and has asked for a fair investigation. He said, “the arrest by UP ATS is not correct many times and there should be a fair investigation of this whole matter. Also, it should be kept in mind that no innocent person is punished.”

 

Condemning the arrest, Dr Zafarul Islam Khan said, "Umar Gautam’s issue is not his personal. He was doing his work well within his rights, as per Article 25 of the constitution. If he has done something wrong, then it should be investigated in a transparent manner. But the media trial and UP government’s eagerness to implicate him indicates that the matter is something else. In fact, they want to prepare ground for UP election, create Hindu-Muslim polarization and spark communal riots. This type of hype is necessary for all this."

 

Prominent civil rights body Association for protection of civil rights (APCR) has called their arrest an attack on the citizens' right to freedom of religion  of the country. APCR General Secretary Malik Mutasim Khan, said, "the recent arrests of Maulana Umar and Qazi Jahangir are not isolated incidents but the result of concerted efforts by the UP government through its agencies and laws over the past few years to end the right to freedom to change one's religion or belief."

 

In a statement one of the largest students  bodies, Students Islami Organisation of India (SIO) said, "we strongly condemn Mohammad Umar Gautam and Mufti Jahangir Qasmi's arrest and appeal for their immediate release. The state government and a section of media is using this case for their own vested political interests and to fan communal hatred."