Co-ordination Committee for Indian Muslims (CCIM) organised an All Party meeting to discuss the atrocities being inflicted on the poor Muslims of Assam and to unveil the covert intentions of the governments, of state and centre, which are forcing them not to take any strong measure in this regard. The meeting took place after the demonstration at Jantar Mantar where common people gathered to show solidarity to the affected and to raise their voice against the injustice and oppression by the authorities and governments. In the meeting, held on September 6, almost all the speakers raised the issue of the Muslim population in the region which is at present 31 per cent. They said the political powers fear that this growing Muslim population might change the dynamics in elections and could turn the state into a Muslim state. So in order to counter this, the authorities are coming up with the notion of ‘illegal Bangladeshi migrants’ to push the Muslims on the edge.
Dr. Tasleem Rahmani, President Muslim Political Council of India, raised a pivotal issue regarding the suspicious statements of the chief minister. “He should elaborate his statement in which he said, ‘There will be killings in Assam’,” Rahmani said. He further took a dig on the statement of the chief minister when on being asked about the issue of illegal and unlicensed arms, he replied, “Do the Kashmiris not have illegal weapons…. His statements show his mentality,” Rahmani said. “It is not a trivial matter when 5 lakh people get displaced in just 5 days. Who are responsible for it?” he asked.
Mujtaba Farooq, President Welfare Party of India and convener CCIM, questioned the veracity of the claims declaring Muslims as Bangladeshi immigrants. “As per the reports by governments and Border Security Forces, they say that the borders are safe and cannot be infiltrated, however the way the issue of migrants is being raised in Assam; this shows that our forces are either delinquent or completely incapable of securing the borders. So, by analysing the entire scenario one can easily decipher that the preposterous lies are being floated on this issue,” he said.
Jogendra Sharma of CPI(M) expressed his doubt whether the situation in Assam would be solved. He accused the two political parties of conflicts and ruckus in the entire North-East, Kashmir and Punjab with the mere purpose of being in power. The ex-MLA demanded the strict implementation of the 1985 Assam Accords and said without its implementation, the solution is out of sight. He also urged the government to cease the weapons from the Bodos so that the Muslims could go back to their homes without fear. Other dignitaries who participated in the meeting and expressed their views were Kanwar Danish (Janta Dal, Secular), Maulana Abdul Wahab Khilji (Member, Muslim Personal Law Board), Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mehdi (Member, Jamiat Ahle-Hadees) Amresh Mishra (Columnist), etc.
In a press conference, held a day before at the headquarters of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, the CCIM highlighted the plight of the Muslims who want to return to their homes; however they cannot go as the Bodos, who wield automatic weapons, do not hesitate at all to kill the poor Muslims to keep them at bay. Whenever people muster courage to return to their homes, Bodos kill one or two persons in order to maintain fear psychosis among them. With such a simmering situation in one of the states of the country, the internal security is also threatened, Rahmani said.
As per the issue of Muslims being Bangladeshi, Rahmani mentioned about a document prepared by Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Editor Milli Gazette, which corroborates to the fact that the issue of illegal migrants is just a figment of imagination and it is nothing but the handiwork of the fascist forces in India who are using it just to make some mean political gains. He further expressed disgust at the inability and unwillingness of the centre and the state to contain violence and initiating the rehabilitation of those affected.
Mujtaba Farooq demanded explanation from the chief minister as he says there are no Bangladeshis in Assam. “So, when there are no Bangladeshis, why is this hullaballoo?” he asked.
Another important issue that was raised was of the illegal and unlicensed arms and weapons which the Bodos possess. As per the records Bodos have nearly 5000 AK47s. However the government is sitting mum over the issue and as yet no steps have been taken to cease those weapons. “It is a conspiracy that has been hatched against Muslims. They are dumping the Muslims into Muslim-concentration areas and not allowing them to grow and succeed by labelling the whole Muslim population as doubtful or D-voters,” said Farooq. People from Assam, victims and others, were also present in the conference as well as in the all-party meeting, who gave an account of their sufferings and the actual problem that persists and people are facing at the ground level.