India has more than 600,000 active mosques for the 250 million Muslim population. Of them, Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, Sunehri Masjid, and Hyderabad’s Makkah Masjid are prominent. The recent demolition of a 700-year-old mosque in Delhi’s Mehrauli area, surreptitiously carried out by the Delhi Development Authority in the dead of night, was an abominable act.
The madrassa adjacent to the mosque housed 23 children who were left homeless in Delhi’s merciless cold. The Muslims around the mosque woke up to the sound of bulldozers instead of Fajr Azaan.
The imam of the mosque said no notice was served prior to the demolition and that he wasn’t allowed to go for prayer. The only consolation is that the High Court has questioned the DDA’s coward act and directed it to file its explanation.
The country’s Hindutva forces, with full support of the BJP government at the center, are also eyeing Varanasi’s Gyanvapi Masjid, Mathura’s Eidgah Masjid, Sambhal’s Jama Masjid and Delhi’s Sunehri Masjid. This is the result of the designs of the central government, high on Hindutva, to erase India’s Muslim history and heritage. The other factors are the Waqf Board’s corruption and the bias and inefficiency of India’s Archaeological Survey of India.
Now, the burden lies upon the shoulders of Muslim youth to protect their identity and existence. World bodies like the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union and Muslim blocs like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth, Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab League must understand the plight of India’s Muslims and put pressure on the Narendra Modi government to do justice to the country’s principal minority.
Ali Jan
Delhi
Government’s Role is Very Crucial to Give Boost to Leather Industry
This refers to the interview of leather expert Zia Nafis by Mohd Naushad Khan (Radiance Viewsweekly, Focus issue on Leather Industry, 9 January). The condition of Indian leather industry is deteriorating day by day. At a time when Indian stock exchange NSE has given a positive annual return of 19%, the scrip of Bata, a leading shoe manufacturer, has given a -ve return of -5%. The health of other similar companies is more or less the same. This is contrary to the fact that global leather industry is projected to grow @ 5% whereas the Indian leather industry has a potential to grow @ 8% per year.
This clearly demonstrates that this industry has a huge potential and can also give heavy employment, which is need of the hour. At this time when there is ongoing trade tension between the US and China, India can increase its export to the US, which is one of the largest markets for leather products.
It’s true that the government’s role is very critical to give a boost to the industry. But the lukewarm response from the government is beyond imagination to such a lucrative industry which can not only provide much-needed employment but also earn precious foreign exchange for the country.
To remain competitive, the industry has to adopt modern tools, technology and specialized manpower.
To give value addition to their product, they should start using eco-friendly material such as vegetable tanned leather, which is gaining popularity in the fashion industry. The Government should also extend the PLI (productivity linked incentive) to this sector also, similar to other growing sectors. It should also encourage the industry to enter into strategic partnership with international manufacturers and retailers, taking advantage of cheap labor in India.
Such measures, if taken promptly, will give a much-needed boost to the industry and I have no doubt, India can emerge as a world leader in this sector. Finally, congratulations to you for highlighting this important commercial issue. Hope the Government takes up the matter seriously.
Aftab Ahmad Khan
Ex-Executive Director (ONGC),
Presently Advisor to Bharat Petro Resources Ltd.