2002: Indian Muslim Statements, The Milli Gazette

2002: Indian Muslim Statements
For Latest Indian Muslim Statements click here
Indian Muslim Statements during 2001 click here
Archive of Indian Muslim Statements click here

ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT

Mushawarat Condemns Proposed Dialogue with Sangh Parivar

Calls upon Minorities Commission Not to be Party to Operation Cover-up

New Delhi, 12 July, 2002: Shri Syed Shahabuddin, President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), has issued the following Statement:

"The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) unequivocally condemns the ill-conceived and ill-timed dialogue arranged by the National Commission for Minorities on 15 July, 202 between the RSS and VHP, on one side, and some ‘Maulanas’ handpicked by Maulana Jamil Ilyasi, President of the All India Organization of the Imams and Qazi Mohd. Mian Mazhari, Chairman of the National Minorities Financial and Development Corporation. Neither of them carries any weight within the Muslim community.

The AIMMM is not against a frank and sincere dialogue with due preparatory work between the representative cross-section of the leadership of both communities in various fields of activity with a view to bring about Hindu-Muslim reconciliation, but the AIMMM is opposed to this exercise for the following reasons:

a) The Sangh Parivar cannot be regarded as the sole representative of the Hindu community.

b) Its communal views repeatedly espoused of late reflect a basic hostility to Islam and the Muslim community and are anti-thetical to the principles of secularism including religious freedom.

c) The Sangh Parivar and specially the VHP and its militant wing the Bajrang Dal are believed to have been associated with planning and executing the recent genocidal pogrom in Gujarat and the purpose of the exercise at this stage is to cover up and whitewash their crimes against the nation and to restore their standing among the people.

d) Any dialogue with the Sangh Parivar will, therefore, constitute a blow against the dignity of the community because those organizations far from expressing any regret or remorse, have hailed the Gujarat pogrom as a historic assertion of Hindu spirit.

The AIMMM is forced to conclude that the National Commission for Minorities is not for Minorities but against Minorities. It sadly observes that while it failed to secure any benefits for the victims or even get its own recommendations accepted by the Union and State Government, it is repeatedly and deliberately trying to serve the interests of the Sangh Parivar, at the behest of the Union Government.

The AIMMM respectfully requests the Commission not to play with the honour and dignity of the Muslim community even if it is powerless to help them in any crisis."

Sd/- Syed Shahabuddin
ALL INDIA MUSLIM MAJLIS-e-MUSHAWARAT
N-44, Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi - 110 025 Phone: 632 6780 Fax: 632 7346 Email: muslim@del3.vsnl.net.in q

_________________________________________________________