New Delhi, Feb. 3:
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), during monthly press briefing at its headquarters here Saturday, has accused authorities of partisan and biased attitude towards Muslims and their religious places.
Jamaat believes that the courts are passing judgments against the law of the land and demanded implementation of Places of Worship Act. Judiciary ignoring the Places of Worship Act will create chaos in the country and open a Pandora’s box of claims and counterclaims regarding religious places.
The Muslim body has called for adherence to the Places of Worship Act while strongly condemning recent developments surrounding the Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi, including a district court order which has facilitated Hindu prayers inside the Masjid complex and demolition of Akhondji Masjid in Delhi without serving any notice.
Jamaat’s Vice President, Professor Salim Engineer, while addressing media persons, said that it is the duty of the government to protect the nation’s religious places. The trust of the people in judiciary is weakening because the courts these days are giving verdicts by seeing the mood of the government and on which side the crowd is more. Courts are passing judgment not on facts but on Astha and the motives of the party in power.
“Our nation is a democratic one and we collectively select the government. And therefore, the government bears the obligation of upholding law and order in the country and implementing measures to ensure the protection of its people and their religious places. It is the duty of not only Muslims, but all people to ensure that the government is following Constitution during their governance and to remind the government of their duty to uphold the law,” he added.
JIH Vice President, Malik Mohtasim Khan reminded about “Pandora’s box” scenarios if claims based on Aastha or faith or contested historical narratives are permitted to transcend established legal frameworks. Instead, he urged the government and judiciary to preserve the Act. He also underlined the need to maintain national cohesion and show respect for religious diversity, calling on the Indian people to oppose attempts to “reverse history” and use sentimental concerns for political ends.
Prof. Salim Engineer noted that although the National Health Policy calls for a 2.5% GDP allocation by 2025, the health budget, after accounting for inflation, has decreased from the year before. He emphasized the significance of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) in mitigating healthcare inequalities in impoverished regions while simultaneously pointing out that the program’s budget has decreased, falling by 33% from the previous year’s allotment.
Prof. Salim emphasized the need for more comprehensive educational advancement for minorities even as he acknowledged the increased funding for madrasa education. “The revised budget has increased the ₹5 crore Education Scheme for Madrasas and Minorities,which was₹2 crore from ₹10 crore in the previous budget,” he stated.
In reply to a question, the JIH Vice President said if states are allowed to formulate their own Uniform Civil Codes, how can it be uniform? If tribals are not included, one can say it’s only aimed to target Minorities. Ina diverse country like India uniformity is almost impossible. He also termed the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill against freedom of the press and termed it as a tool to censure press.
Addressing the conference, Jamaat’s Media Department Secretary KK Suhail talked about Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and the International Court of Justice. Mr Suhail said: “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind would like to register its appreciation of South Africa for its bold and timely move to drag Israel to the United Nation’s highest judicial body. He asked the Government of India, the international community along with Muslim countries to press Israel for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The indictment of Israel in ICJ should be extended to achieving peace and a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.”