By TCN News,
New Delhi: Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind on Monday demanded that Muslim youths falsely implicated in terror cases should be immediately released and cases against them withdrawn. The government must provide financial compensation to those Muslims languishing in jail for long, said the Managing Committee of Jamiat at the end of its two-day meeting.
“Their career has been spoiled and their family members suffered economically. The government should learn a lesson from the Australian government which has given adequate financial compensation to Dr Haneef. Since several outfits belonging to majority community are found to have been involved in serial bomb blasts, therefore members of the minority community arrested on mere suspicions, should be set free. This act of the government will instill a sense of confidence and goodwill among the members of the minority community,” the Managing Committee of Jamiat resolved at the end of its two-day meeting here at its headquarters.
Mahmood Madani addressing General Body meeting of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind in New Delhi on 7th March 2011
Release innocents
Jamiat president Maulana Qari Usman Mansurpuri in his presidential address said: “Muslim youths implicated in false charge by prejudiced and communal officials should be released immediately and case against them withdrawn. The government must provide financial compensation to those Muslims languishing in jail for long term; more or less than eighteen years as a result of which their career have been spoiled and their family members suffered economically. Since several outfits belonging to majority community are found to have been involved in serial bomb blasts, therefore members of the minority community arrested on mere suspicions, should be set free.”
“This act of the government will instill a sense of confidence and goodwill among the members of the minority community,” Jamiat president said.
The meeting chaired by Jamiat president Qari Usman deliberated upon various issues and passed several resolutions demanding release of innocent Muslims jailed in terror cases, action against communal outfits, reservation to Muslims and protection of Wakf properties.
The Jamiat body accepted the primary membership of Maulna Badrudin Ajmal and his colleagues. The managing committee of Jamiat also appointed Maulna Azhar (Ranchi) and Maulna Reyasat Ali Bijnauri as new vice presidents of the group. Maulana Qari Shaukat and Maulana Haseeb Siddiqui have been elected treasures.
Muslim reservation
Reiterating its demand of Muslim quota, the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind expressed its concern on the nominal presence of Muslims in educational institutions and legislative bodies and demand quota for the community in proportion to their population. The Jamiat also demanded separate quota for Muslim OBCs and inclusion of Dalit Muslims in the category of Scheduled Castes.
“As per the government figures, the Muslims constitute more than 13% of the Indian population but their representation in various spheres in less than 2%. It has resulted into their extreme poverty and socio-economic and educational backwardness. The Justice Sachar Committee report has proved that the economic, educational, political and social condition of the Muslims in India is worse than that of Dalits.”
“The Muslims should be given representation in all spheres in accordance with their proportion of population. To ensure this, the constitutional and the legal hurdles, if any, should immediately be removed. The Muslims should be declared the most backward community. Separate quota should be earmarked for the Muslims OBC sections which are recognized by and listed in the Mandal Commission. Labourer castes of the Muslim community and the backward classes should be treated at par with other Dalits by amending Article 341 of the constitution. The facilities extended to the non-Muslims weavers and other professional sects by categorising them under the schedule caste category, should be extended to the Muslim community too,” the Jamiat demanded.
Anti-communal riot law
Rajya Sabha Member and General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama, Maulana Mahmood Madani, while addressing the conference stressed on a strong anti-communal riot law.
“More than ninety percent of communal riots occur due to negligence of police and administration. Therefore a law must be passed to fix responsibility on them,” said Madani. He also stressed that there should not be discrimination in the compensation to riot victims.
RTE and Madrasas
While dwelling on RTE he said that issuance of guidelines to exclude Madarsa from the ambit of RTE act is not enough. A parliamentary amendment is necessary for the same. He asserted religious education is a basic right of the Muslim community and “we will not tolerate any action that debars us from acquiring it.”
Action against communal outfits
The Jamiat body also demanded action against communal outfits. While expressing its deep concern over anti-Muslim activities of communal outfits, Jamiat demanded the central and state governments to take effective action against them. “In several parts of the country the RSS and its affiliated organizations have been spreading hatred against Muslims. After the verdict on title suit in Babri Mosque was delivered, several activities by communal outfits have been launched in urban and rural areas. VHP have launched cow protection movement to spread hatred and animosity against the Muslims. Hatred literatures are being circulated and those who champion cause of secularism have become special target of attack. The Managing committee of Jamiat Ulama Hind demands that the Government should take effective action.”
Godhra verdict
Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi, secretary of Jamiat while dwelling upon Godhra incident said that the Jamiat had extended legal assistance to those youths who were arrested after Goddhra train burning. Its efforts have bore fruits and several persons have been set free by the court. He also expressed resolution to further extend all possible assistance to those convicted in appealing in higher court against verdict of the special court.
Problems of Haj pilgrims
Jamiat has demanded increase in the power of Haj committees by amending Haj Act. Other demands under the subject include proceeding forward of Haj reform file which is pending in the ministry of external affairs, floating the tender to the best airline company for providing better facility with the cooperation of Haj committee and constitution of a three member committee for supervising accommodation arrangement in Mecca, Madina and Mina.
Muslim Awqaf
Jamiat-Ulama-I-Hind has put four demands before the central and state governments:
*The Wakf Act 1995 should be honestly and strongly implemented after making suitable amendments, and the wakf properties, which are valued in billions, be properly managed as per the will of the dowers.
*All the wakf properties be exempted from the Rent Control Act and it shouldn’t be left merely on the discretion of the bureaucrats. This house also feels that a conference be convened to point out and discuss the shortcomings of the Wakf Act and its recommendations be presented to the government.
*The Wakf Act should be suitably amended to get the wakf properties vacated as per the pattern of the Public Property Act.
*The function of the Muslims awkaf should be remodeled on the pattern of the gurudwara prabandhak committees.