New Delhi, Jan. 7:
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has expressed serious concerns over India becoming an illiberal democracy, the manner in which the inauguration of Ram Mandir is politicized, trespassing privacy and mounting death toll in Gaza, during its monthly press briefing at its headquarters here Saturday.
Salim Engineer, Vice President of Jamaat, while addressing media persons, said, “The weakening of our democracy in recent years reminds us that we are moving toward an illiberal democracy. The manner in which Parliament has functioned in the recent past shows the direction India and its polity is moving forward. This is a very dangerous trend. For a strong democracy, a strong opposition is required. In the absence of strong opposition India is heading towards an autocratic state. It is a serious concern that voices against the ruling dispensation are suppressed by hooks and crooks, thus undermining the fundamentals of our democracy.
Over the rhetoric in which the inauguration of Ram Mandir is being played out, JIH Vice President said that the inauguration event is becoming a political tool and the government is making the inauguration an election campaign. He demanded that Ram Mandir inauguration should not be politicized, patronized or polarized. He condemned the effort of the government to compare the inauguration of Ram temple with our Independence Day as erroneous and mischievous.
While referring to the present atmosphere in the country, he asked the Muslims in particular and the people in general not to get provoked and remain vigilant against any propaganda and conspiracy theory. He asked the countrymen to live in peace and harmony.
On the Telecom Bill 2023, Salim Engineer said, “This Bill gives unprecedented power to the government to access every form of communication which is against citizens’ privacy. The overarching interpretation of the communication will give immense scope to the law enforcement authorities for misuse. The Bill empowers the Central and state governments to intercept, or detain, thus infringing upon the fundamental right to privacy. It will allow the government to take over and suspend mobile networks for public safety. Italso provides sweeping powers to the government but with zero accountability. The Bill intervenes into citizens’ privacy which will make our country a surveillance democracy. It limits the fundamental rights of the people.”
While recalling the day as War Orphans Day, the Vice President said, “There are approximately 15 crore orphans in the entire world and among them a large number of children have become orphans because of war. Today we also remember the day while looking at what is happening in Gaza.” He asked the international community, the United Nations and India to intervene while strongly condemning the genocide of Palestinians as the death toll mounts at least to 22,722.