“The partial rollback in the GST is a good step but not enough to meet the present challenges. Some drastic changes have to be made to put the economy right on the track in order to provide relief for all those affected by demonetisation and GST,” said Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind while addressing press meet at JIH headquarters on 7 October.
In reply to a question, Maulana Umari said the issue of ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) cannot be said to be politically motivated because the organisation has been facing threat of ban even during the time of UPA government. The matter is in the court so it would be improper to say on it anything. However he said the PFI has always maintained that they are not doing anything wrong and they do everything by remaining within the framework of the law of the land.
Earlier, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Dr. Muhammad Salim Engineer, while replying to a question, said, Jamaat is against the policy of banning organisations as it is undemocratic and reveals the fascist tendency. He added that if any individual from any organisation is found violating law then stringent action should be taken but banning organisations is not correct.
On the question of compulsory singing of the national anthem by Madrasa students, the Vice President of JIH Maulana Nusrat Ali said, there is consensus among Muslims that there are various objectionable points in the singing of Vande Mataram. It is objectionable. He clarified that there is nothing objectionable in case of national anthem and its singing should not be a problem for anybody. He maintained that it is not the question of singing this or that but what is problematic is the mindset that insists forceful singing which is wrong in a democratic country like India which is known for its unity in diversity.
Jamaat asked the government to allow the Rohingya Muslims to stay in India till the situation becomes conducive for them to return to Burma. They are helpless people and should not be deported to die, on the humanitarian grounds. Jamaat also expressed concern on the growing lawlessness in the country.