Disrespect to any prophet is crime. Akhilesh Yadav failed in controlling communal riots
By TCN Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Giving a boost to the political parties who are gheraoing the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, the largest Muslim socio-religious group having presence in entire country, has come out strongly against the Union Government’s decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail sector.
Addressing monthly press conference at its headquarters, the national president of Jamaat, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri said FDI in retail sector will harm the interests of the poor and the small shopkeepers in villages and towns.
FDI in retail is anti-poor
“FDI in retail sector is not in favor of masses. It will harm the interest of small shopkeepers in towns and villages as rich companies will take over retail markets,” said Maulana Umri. He, however, made it clear the Jamaat is not against FDI in sectors where the poor have little stake.
During one-hour long press briefing, Jamaat chief put across views of his organization on various other issues confronting the country and the community.
Disrespect to any prophet by anyone – Muslim or non-Muslim – is a crime
Maulana Umri while condemning the anti-Islam movie Innocence of Muslims clarified that insult to any prophet by anyone is a punishable act.
“Disrespect and insult to any prophet by anyone – Muslim or non-Muslim – is a crime and the culprit should be punished. But it is not the job of individuals to come out to punish the culprits, it is the job of state and government,” said Maulana Umri, author of various books on Islam.
While supporting freedom of speech he said rejecting or accepting Prophet Muhammad is a right of a person that should be respected, but assassinating character of Prophet and leveling baseless and shameful allegations against him is not a right or freedom of speech. It is a crime.
“There should be freedom to express one’s feelings and thoughts. If someone privately or publicly says he does not accept Prophet Muhammad or Quran, none has right to gag his voice. It is his right to accept or reject Prophet. His freedom should be respected. But if someone assassinates the character of Prophet and makes baseless and shameful allegations against him, it is not freedom of speech, rather he is committing a crime,” said Maulana Umri.
But if such act of blasphemy takes place Muslims have right to protest, but they have not right to commit violence in the name of Prophet, he added.
Riots in UP: Akhilesh not handling them satisfactorily
Jamaat leader criticized the Samajwadi Party government of Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh for the communal riots that have taken place in last six months at a regular interval. He said the CM Akhilesh Yadav has not handled them as sternly as was expected.
“The Akhilesh Yadav government has not handled communal rights in the first six months of his regime as sternly as was expected. He is not handling the situation satisfactorily,” said Maulana Umri and demanded that culprits should be punished and victims should be compensated for the loss of live and properties.
He also demanded increase in the share of Muslims in paramilitary forces and police, saying this will to an extent help in checking communal riots. But he categorically said riots can be checked only if the government wants to do so.