In a press meet, Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, spoke about the problems faced by the country and the Muslim community. A gist of the main issues discussed is being presented herewith. Besides the Ameer, Secretary of Jamaat, Engineer Muhammad Saleem also answered questions raised by the press.
Communal rights have become a dark chapter in independent India’s history and a black spot on the country’s fair name. Their number runs in thousands, the latest being in Gopalgarh where innocents have been mercilessly killed. In almost all riots police and administration have failed to do their duty and instead acted in partisan and anti-Muslim manner.
After 9/11 India got closer to imperialistic power and cases of concocted charges and arrests of Muslim youths and attempts to spoil their careers are being carried out all over the country. Malegaon, where bomb attack was made on a mosque and Muslims lost their lives, yet Muslims and their youths were arrested and thrown behind bars, is an example of this.
The Jamaat views this situation with great concern and considers it to be very harmful not only for the Muslims but for the country also. The Jamaat has been continuously demanding the government to uphold justice and rule of law so that the atmosphere of peace and brotherhood may be maintained.
One of the burning problems of the country is widespread corruption and a campaign has been launched against it. Demands of bringing back black money stashed in foreign countries are also being made. The Jamaat wholeheartedly supports every effort to end corruption but wants this to be done within the limits of law and constitution. The Jamaat also supports a balanced and comprehensive Lokpal Bill. At the same time it wants promotion of God-consciousness and sense of responsibility before God because only a combination of good laws and sound character would help us in putting an end to corruption and other evils.
The country is passing through a period of economic and social problems. In spite of overall economic development large sections of society are still in the grip of poverty. Inflation is breaking the bones of poor Indians and they are even driven to suicides. The government is not taking concrete steps to address this problem. The Jamaat has been doing its best, with its limited resources, to help the poor wherever it is possible. But in this big country this gigantic problem can be tackled only by the government by adopting balanced and comprehensive programmes. This is the basic responsibility of a welfare state which we aspire to become. The government must take concrete steps to control inflation and do its duty towards the poor sections.
The Jamaat and other Muslim organisations have been explaining their reservation about RTE. Promotion and acquisition of knowledge is a must and the government must spend greater share of GDP on education. The government should earmark more funds for education of the Muslims, but must refrain from interfering in the affairs of Muslim educational institutions and desist from curtailing their autonomy.