By Abdul Hameed, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Hundreds of people from Mumbai city and suburbs, both Muslims and Non-Muslims gathered yesterday at Azad Maidan to demonstrate against the barbarism of Israel over Palestine. Sarva Samaj United Democratic Front, Aman Committee and other social and political groups had given a call for the dharna.
The speakers condemned the Israeli air and ground attacks and termed them ‘the worst form of terrorism’. They also demanded the Indian government to snap all types of ties with Israel and close Israeli embassy and consulate in India.
Maulana Mahmood Daryabadi, general secretary of Ulama Council and the convener of the program, condemned the Israeli attacks and asked all peace loving countries and organizations to declare Israel a ‘terrorist country.’
‘Israel is foe to humanity. Where are UN, FBI and Interpol Police? Boycott all the Israeli and American products,’ said the general secretary of Aman Committee Dawood Khan.
Maulana Muddassir Qasmi, a teacher of MMERC expressed his concern over the silence of Arab League and the double standard of United Nations towards terrorism; Israeli terrorism and so-called Islamic terrorism.’
Dr. Azimuddin, secretary of UDF, requested the government to send milk, food and medicine to Palestine as the infants are dying of hunger and acute short of medicine. ‘If the government does not do so it should give us visa and we ourselves will go to Palestine.’
Colonel Sudhir Sawant, Amresh Misra, Mufti Azizur Rahman, Maulana Khalid Ashraf, Maulana Mustaqim Ahsan Azmi, Maulana, M. Burhanuddin Qasmi, Maulana Anis Ashrafi, Farid Shaikh, Haroon Muzawala, Farooq Mithaiwala, Yunus Manyar, Nasim Khan, Maulana Ejaz Kashmiri, , Farid Batatawala and Sunil Khobragade who each lead separate national and state level NGOs were among other prominent personalities who attended the dharna.
The attendants held placards having slogans ‘Israeli Dahshatgardi Ki Pusht Par Amrica’ (America behind Israeli terrorism), ‘Hindu Muslim Bhai Bhai, Amrica Ne Aag Lagai’ (Hindus and Muslims are brothers to each other. America has created hatred among them) and ‘Jo Amrica Ka Yar Hai, Ghaddar Hai Ghaddar Hai’ (One who is a friend to America is treacherous, he is treacherous.) etc. in their hands. Most of the cards depicted photos of injured Palestinian children and mothers crying for them
During the dharna the Sarva Samaj United Democratic Front (UDF) passed three resolutions with mass approval which the party leaders later handed over to Mr. S.C. Jamir, the Governor of Maharashtra.
They also requested the Governor in a separate memorandum to communicate the same to the world and to the concerned offices in New Delhi. The demands put forward by UDF during the dharna which were sent to the Governor with hundreds of signatures are as follow:
Resolution No 1: To call upon the Israeli diplomats and lodge a strong protest against its invasion in Gaza and demand immediate ceasefire on behalf of Indians.
Resolution No 2: If the Israelis do not respond positively, our government must cut all relationship with Israel with immediate effect and maintain the pre-1992 diplomatic status quo with Israel.
Resolution No 3: Israel has proven to be an irresponsible state since its illegitimate existence in 14 May 1948, and we urge the UN, EU, OIC and Arab league countries to act effectively for a durable solution of Arab -Israel conflict.