Firdaus Jahan for BeyondHeadlines
Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra has come out strongly against terrorism and victimization of Muslims while terror-related charges against them are being probed.
The organization has adopted a 10-point resolution in a convention held at the Azad Maidan on January 11, 2014.
Among many things, Jamiat Ulema’s latest resolution asks the Centre and State Government to form tribunals with adequate powers to ensure speedy delivery of justice. They also voiced their demand for reservation for Muslims.
Thousands of Muslims from various strata of society gathered to echo their voice demanding justice at Azad Maidan in the Protection of Democracy convention.
Addressing a press conference ahead of the convention, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader Maulana Arshad Madni said the issues of minorities needs to be addressed.
“Today a lot of innocent youth are victimised. We all would have to sit together to see how this stops. Today the condition of minority is known to everyone…we have to see how it can be addressed,” Madni stated.
Maulana Madni noted that judgments have come for many lawsuits in which the court have discharged accused persons of allegation, and acquitted them.
“Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has also admitted though belatedly during last few days, that innocent Muslims have been arrested. State governments do not pursue seriously the legal action with regards to withdrawal of cases pertaining to innocent Muslims arrested on charged of terrorism. Their prime goes in jail and finally they are discharged…how do you compensate the years lost,” he added.
Among prominent persons who addressed the public meet were: Jagatguru Shankaracharya Adhikshanandji Maharaj Puri Peeth Mathura and Vincent Michael Concessao, Archbishop Emeritus of Delhi.
They agreed on the fact that during last 20 years, religion of Islam and Muslims all over the world were alleged to perpetrate terrorism which is intolerance unwarranted and totally uncalled for.
The resolution demanded that a tribunal of retired judges on the lines of MCOCA and MISA to investigate the charge of terrorism and ensure that without the permission of tribunal, no action should be taken against anyone who is alleged to be involved in terrorism.
“Several Muslims youngsters are lying in jails since ten to fifteen years in the name of terrorism, Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra have kept saying from the very first day that these innocent Muslims youngsters who have been arrested that these educated youth are an asset to the country and community. Do not make their future dark and defame the whole Muslims community by branding them terrorist, by punishing them for crimes they have not committed at all,” noted a release
The resolution for FSI reads: “The population of the city of Mumbai is increasingly day to day settlements are emerging in new areas where Muslims also live in large number old mosques are becoming inadequate for their prayers due to which they have to offer Friday prayer and Namaze Eid on the roads. Simultaneously they make madarsa and offer prayers there because permission for mosque is not granted. Government of Maharashtra was requested to grant more FSI for mosques and it acted a little in this regards but practically no initiative has been taken in this connection.”
One of the resolutions also demanded that the Constitutional hindrances in giving reservations to Muslims must be removed/amended.
THE TEN POINT RESOLUTION:
1. Prevention of terrorism and formation of tribunal to investigate the allegation of terrorism.
2. Reservation for Muslims.
3. Law for prevention of riots.
4. Repeat of president order of 1950.
5. Establishment of Fast Track Courts.
6. Protection of trusts.
7. Extension of FSI for madrassas and mosque.
8. Allowing Muslims to keep beards who serve police and other departments.
9. Protection to institution belonging to minorities.
10. Permission for prayers in certain mosques.
