By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: Resentment is growing among Muslim and secular NGOs and activists after the bail of Sahu and Kalsangara, alleged right wing terrorists involved in Malegaon blast 2008. After Urdu newspapers, now Ulema and NGOs on Sunday came down heavily on the current legal system and Congress led government’s apathy to provide justice to its citizens.
“Even after 5 years we are still waiting for justice in Malegaon blast case of 2006 where 9 local Muslims youths are charged for the acts of others” said Abdul Hamid Azhari, President of Kul Jamaati Tanzeem, Malegaon. He referred to the statement of eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan about the corruption in the top judiciary and said, “We respect courts but it can also go wrong.” He also advocated for Maharashtra level strong legal cell to fight injustice legally.
L-R: (2nd from left) Maulana Abdul Hamid Azhari, Abraham Mathai, Mahesh Bhatt and others
Reminding the Congress-NCP led Government of Maharashtra about the role of Ulema in freedom struggle Maulana Azhari said, “We want peace in the country but I also like to remind the government that only 500 Ulema issued Fatwa of freedom against the tyrant British.”
He quoted a statement of a wife of accused who asked Maulana Azhari, “We are ready if you all are incapable of getting justice.”
Everybody present agreed to legal activist Farooque Mapkar’s proposal to boycott political Iftar parties this Ramzan. Dr.Azimuddin said, “It’s strange that 9 Muslim accused are in Jail for 5 years but these two Sanghi terrorists are granted bail even after the confessional statement of Swami Aseemanad.” He feared that Muslim youth will lose faith in the judiciary after this kind of decisions.
Maulana Hasnain Turabi was angry with the stereotyping of Muslims in the media and demanded, “Media should be made accountable for its wrong doing. It’s the media that did not learn from the past and are profiling Muslims as terrorist after every terrorist attack.”
Aslam Gazi of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maharashtra said, “It’s very sad that instead of thinking and strategizing about the growth and progress of the community and country we get together at regular interval to defend ourselves. We have to think for a longer term now and make a panel of retired doctors, lawyers and educated people to guide the community.”
Gulzar Azmi, Gen. Secretary of Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra, who is fighting many cases of terror suspects, is upset with the Muslim leaders. He said, “We made a committee of Muslim MPs but it failed and we are upset with these leaders. The only option we have now is with the Court of Law.”
The Bombay High Court last week granted bail to Sahu and Kalsangara, co-accused of Sadhvi Pragya Singh in Malegaon blast case of 2008.