New Delhi: Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), said in a press meet held here on 2 June that JIH has launched a countrywide campaign against Muslim youths’ illegal arrests and violation of their basic human rights.

Maulana Umari said, “even after 64 years of independence the situation of rule of law in the country is not satisfactory. Weaker sections, especially the Muslims, are continuously being harassed by different government agencies. They are trying to tarnish the image of Muslims as a community. The educated Muslim youths are being illegally kidnapped or arrested and tortured to own up crimes they never committed, and dozens of false cases are slapped against them.” He quoted the example of the latest episode of Engineer Fasih Mahmood who was abducted or arrested on 13 May by representatives of some unknown Indian intelligence agency with the help of Saudi Arabian authorities.

Maulana Umari said, “this episode is being discussed by the media and under review by the Supreme Court. For over 20 days, neither the Home Ministry nor the External Affairs Ministry explained as to on whose order the Engineer was arrested and for what allegation or crime. Only on 31 May, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram stated that no Indian intelligence agency has detained Mr. Fasih.”

He raised the questions, “Was it not the responsibility of our Home Minister to let the world know who detained Fasih? And on whose request the Interpol has issued a red corner notice to arrest him? During this period who kept him in its custody?” He further said, “such incidents are a source of mental torture for the entire Muslim community and every peace-loving citizen.”

Citing another example of illegal arrests of Muslim youth, the President of JIH said, “in the morning of 24 May at Aligarh railway station, two Kashmiri students, Mohammad Waseem Bhat and Sajjad Ahmed Bhat who were studying at the renowned institute of higher Islamic learning Jamiatul Falah at Bilariaganj, Azamgarh, were abducted by some government agency in the presence of thousands of eye witnesses from a general compartment of Kaifiyat Express.”

He said had it been a legal arrest, the students should have been presented before a court of law within 24 hours? He stated, “it is yet not known under whose order and under which law ATS or special cell or some other agency conducted the arrest, which was nothing but an illegal abduction. No body or agency is ready to own up this illegal act.”

Maulana Umari said, “after widespread protests, demonstrations and pressure from media, the two students surfaced in Jammu and were taken to Sopore, and allowed to meet their fathers. If there had been no public pressure, these youths could have been killed in some false encounter.”

Maulana Umari said, “the government of India, in the light of Sachar Report and under the Prime Minister’s 15-point programme, made a special scheme for 90 selected districts for welfare and economic and educational progress of minorities. In this respect, Mr. Harsh Mander, a prominent member of National Advisory Council (NAC), has submitted a report which states that the Muslim community is not getting the benefit of this scheme. The Multi-Sectorial Development Parliamentary Committee seized with this matter has approved this report. Therefore, it has been recommended that this scheme should be made Muslim-specific so that it may benefit the Muslim community. Otherwise, this scheme will fail in its objectives. A  suggestion has also been given that this scheme should be extended to those districts where Muslims are 15%. During the last three years, for the welfare of minorities Rs. 3780 crore had been sanctioned out of which Rs. 840 crore, i.e, about 25 percent, has been returned as unutilized.”

Riots in Kosi Kalan: Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, national secretary of JIH, while giving details about the riot that erupted in Kosi Kalan town in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh the previous day informed that at least three Muslim persons including a woman have been killed so far according to reports. He said, “the dispute began on a minor matter and suddenly it took the shape of a dangerous riot which nobody had expected. According to reports, Muslims arrange “Sabeel” (free cold drinks arrangements) in front of a Mosque before every Friday prayer. Before the prayer this past Friday, a person washed his hands with the cold drinks, and this sparked a minor dispute which was resolved by some sensible men. But when Muslims came out of the Mosque after offering the prayers they faced a different situation. A big mob of Hindus had started attacking the Mosques, houses and shops of Muslims. Soon it started burning houses and shops belonging to Muslims. The rioters were armed with homemade bombs, sharp weapons and wooden staffs. All this while the local administration was playing the role of a silent spectator. Muslims were being attacked and their homes were being torched while the local administration was watching for about six to seven hours. After this, a force and high ranking police officers reached the town and managed to control the situation. Ahmad added that the riot could have been averted in the initial stage itself if timely action had been taken by the local police.

Mr. Ahmed said that JIH strongly condemns the whole incident and demands: 1) Rs. 20 lakh compensation per died person and 5 lakh to each injured; 2) Appropriate compensation to those whose shops or houses were damaged; 3) Exemplary punishment to those who took part in the riots; 4) Necessary action against elements of the local administration who did not take timely action and 5) Protection to the life and property of Muslims.