By TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Lucknow: Raising voice on the issue of ‘false’ implication of ‘innocent’ Muslim youth in terror cases for the first time ever, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has asked the governments to ensure that those behind bars for several years and against whom no charge sheets have been filed should be released.
The apex body on Muslim laws has also asked the Union and state governments to announce compensation for the youth acquitted in terror cases besides punishing the officials for framing ‘fake’ charges. AIMPLB’s executive committee (EC), which met in Darul-ul-Uloom Nadwat-ul-Ulema here in the state capital, passed the resolution comprising this demand on Sunday.
“The meeting was informed that thousands of Muslim youth are languishing in jails for several years and no charge sheet has been filed against them. It’s shameful for a democracy like India that its youth are implicated in false cases. There is resentment within the community. These youth should be released,” Maulana Abdul Raheem Qureshi, spokesperson of the board told newsmen after the meeting.
The governments should also announce compensation for those acquitted after, besides the police, intelligence officials responsible for framing fake charges should be punished to set a precedent in future,” he added.
The 21 member Board has also reiterated that the status of government marriage registrars for Qazis who solemnise nikah among Muslims on the lines of what Assam, Andhra Pradesh and west Bengal governments have done. “We are not against the marriage registration, but it should be optional not mandatory. We have asked the UP government to declare the Qazi as marriage registrar and treat nikahnama as the proof,” SQR Ilyas Qasim, member of EC said. This The demand has gained momentum after the Supreme Court passed a verdict for compulsory registration of all marriages.
Besides the board also feels that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is not prosecuting the Babri Masjid demolition case properly in the Rae Bareli court and is hesitant to examine the witnessed before the court. “We demand government of India should instruct CBI officials to produce and examine all witnesses as speedily as possible to bring the culprits to the book,” Zafaryab Jilani, EC member said.
The board also took up the issue related to interpretation of Islamic texts by the judicial authorities. The meeting also took up the issue of Direct Taxes Code Bill and Waqf Bill where it is opposing several provisions. The AIMPLB is not in favour of the proposed Waqf Development Agency and sharing of income with other communities. It is also against the proposal in Direct Taxes Code Bill to end the concession given to the religious places, religious institutions, and charitable societies in tax payment. The meeting also outlined the agenda for its general meeting to be held in Ujjain on March 22-24.