One of the darkest chapters of Independent India has been the hate propaganda unleashed by communal-minded parties. This caused unlimited damage to social cohesion and poisoned inter-community relations thereby hindering social and economic progress of the country. The main sufferers of this poisonous trend were the Muslims and other weaker and marginalised sections of society.
For about four decades communal riots raged without any end in sight. Then the social and economic changes forced the people, especially after Gujarat 2002, to abandon that trend. It is a sign of a healthier society, that now, in general, people refuse to indulge in communal riots, as they not only disturb the daily flow of life but also their own interests – social and economic both. In particular, the daily bread-earners, officer goers, students and small shop owners feel the pinch of such disturbances and hence resent and reject moves that may lead to conflicts.
Now the hate mongers, who have entered the police force and security agencies, have adopted a new strategy to continue their old game. They utilise a new tactics to continuously keep marginalised those sections whose hatred has become an inbuilt and permanent cancerous growth in their minds and hearts. This strategy lies in accusing educated Muslim youths of terrorism, fixing them, involving them in false cases and tarnishing the image of the community and keeping the atmosphere of suspicion always hot. This tactics is being used in such a large measure that terrorism and Muslims have become synonymous.
All over the country, virtually hundreds of Muslim youths have been implicated in false terror cases. Human Rights activists, media persons and lawyers are well aware of hundreds of cases in which innocent youths have been falsely implicated. One such blatant case is of Muhammad Aamir who had to spend full 14 years behind bars. He was accused of more than 15 bomb blast cases. Another such case is of Dr. Tariq Qasmi and Khalid Mujahid of Azamgarh district who have been falsely accused of involvement in some blast cases.
It is welcome that the Government of U.P. has taken cognisance of such cases and resolved to withdraw some false cases. Chief Minister of Bihar has also shown his concern about such cases. As regards BJP-ruled Gujarat it is good that the Supreme Court is monitoring some major cases.
It is a fundamental problem of our country that rule of law should be maintained, victimisation brought to an end and justice done to every citizen. It is time to put an end to the endless ordeal of an entire community.