JIH Chief Writes to PM, Suggests Ways to Overcome Current Crisis

Syed Jalaluddin Umari, National President (Ameer) Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, in a letter sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 June 2016 and released to the Press on 6 August 2016, has drawn the attention of the Prime Minister towards the various problems the country and the community are confronted with and suggested some remedial measures to bring the country back to the path of progress and development. As the suggestions advanced by the JIH chief hold importance in the prevailing scenario, we reproduce the text of the letter here:
“We hope that this letter finds you in good health and spirit. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is an all India socio-religious organization striving to build an ideal society based on morality, justice and obedience to God. We have been working for the welfare of mankind since 1948 in every nook and corner of the country. We are also making efforts for the educational, economic and social upliftment of the Muslim community, women and the deprived and oppressed sections of Indian society.
“Some of Jamaat’s wide range of activities includes dissemination of the message of Islam. We encourage moral values in national polity and strive to protect India from the clutches of global imperialism and crony capitalism. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind works for the eradication of poverty, sickness, hunger, illiteracy, unemployment and towards the strengthening of communal harmony and mutual trust.
“The people of India were looking for healthy change when they elected you to the highest seat of office. You have spoken vociferously at various forums about development, unity, peace and harmony. You were successful in igniting hope and optimism in the people of India and especially the youth of this country. Slogans like ‘’Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’’ have inspired them. Your signature programs like ‘’Swach Bharat Abhiyan’’ and ‘’Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’’ are laudable and your tours to different parts of the globe are welcome. Your first Independence Day speech about a 10-year moratorium on communal violence and focus on growth is highly appreciable. The permission given to IDB to start social welfare and development programs in India is also very encouraging. The country is eagerly waiting to see the realization of your promises for a positive change in their lives.
“In spite of some positive signals there are major failures by the present dispensation. There has been a steady rise in the communal conflicts in the country. Crimes against the Muslim community, Dalits and other weaker sections have resulted in a sense of insecurity and fear. Violence against students, journalists and teachers demonstrate the failure of the state to uphold the rule of law and provide safety and security irrespective of caste, creed and profession. The role of some of your party members, ministers, MPs and leaders in fanning the flames of communal strife is disturbing. Your chastisement to these hotheads has been mild and has fallen on deaf ears. They continue to brandish fellow citizens as anti-national, infiltrators and traitors.
“Your government’s stand on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and its position on the Muslim Personal Law and the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016 is creating anxiety amongst Muslims. Inadequate funding towards Minority welfare and its partial utilization adversely affects the Muslim community as reflected in their indices of social and economic development.
“Police and security agencies have made large number of unjustified arrests of Muslim youth on fabricated charges. Educated Muslim youth are being targeted and framed in terror cases to demoralize the community.
“Incidents of suicides by farmers, heinous crimes against women are on the rise. The budgetary allocation towards health, education is inadequate and the path of privatization and FDI is causing large-scale unemployment and collapse of the domestic industry. The huge loss to the public exchequer made by the NPAs of public banks should serve as an eye-opener to those crafting the financial and monetary policy of our country. They should look at other approaches like interest free banking and equity based financing.
“On the foreign policy front, the traditional principled stand of India, supporting the poor and oppressed nations against the imperialist and exploitative forces, is being seriously compromised. The increasing proximity to Israel and deviation from the policy of supporting Palestinian cause is becoming a source of serious concern for peace and justice loving people of India.
“India is sliding very fast into moral degeneration. Universal norms of morality and probity are disappearing quickly. This deterioration of values is reflected in the rise in crimes, increased usage of liquor and drugs by the youth, corruption, exploitation of women through human trafficking and prostitution and the growing trend of homosexuality and live-in relationship. All this points to a moral crisis engulfing our country.
“We are submitting herewith some important suggestions to overcome the current crisis, expecting some bold initiatives from you.
“a) Decisive action should be taken against anyone who tries to create communal conflict and advocates and commits violence. The passage of the Communal Violence Bill and ethical training of the police will assure the minority communities and the weaker sections of their safety and security.
“b) HRD ministry should deliver on the promised inclusive agenda of the government. The minority character of Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia must be preserved. Your government should openly support the minority status of these institutions and provide a substantial package for these minority institutions to help them establish different regional centres in various states of the country. Equal Opportunity Commission should be set up at the earliest. The slogan of ‘’sabka saath sab ka vikas’’ would then become a reality.
“c) Muslims in general and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in particular oppose and condemn terror in all its forms and manifestations. Muslims have clearly condemned ISIS publicly. Jamaat asserts that the country needs to restructure its counter terror mechanism. Innocents should not be harassed and officers responsible for falsely implicating people should be prosecuted and given punishment. Fast track courts should be set up for the trials of the terror accused and government must give proper compensation to the innocent and rehabilitate those who are acquitted by courts after years of incarceration. The real culprits should be found and punished.
“d) Jamaat had earlier given a range of suggestions to the finance ministry. Jamaat recommends expenditure of at least 6% of GDP on education and 4% of GDP on healthcare.
“e) Interest-free farm credit is the solution to the problem of farmer’s suicides. We recommend implementation of the recommendations in Chapter 5 of the RBI Committee report by Deepak Mohanty on ‘’Medium Term Path for Financial Inclusion’’. It recommends setting up of ‘’interest free windows’’ in existing conventional banks.
“f) There should be complete ban on liquor in the country as mentioned in the Directive Principles of State Policy in our Constitution.
“g) Promotion of moral science in syllabi should be drafted in the New Education Policy. It will go a long way in slowing down India’s slide to moral bankruptcy.
“h) We strongly suggest cutting off all diplomatic ties with Israel. This action will not only keep India on the right side of history but also help isolate Israel, the biggest violator of UN Security Council resolutions internationally.
“You are the key office bearer of a great country and history has put on your shoulders a huge responsibility. The world is witnessing a new wave of ethnic and cultural conflicts. India has the opportunity to become a role model of inclusive development, peaceful coexistence and rule of law. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is ready to render support in all positive and good initiatives. Islam teaches us to cooperate in virtue and righteousness and we shall be happy to work for peace, justice and development.
“With responsibility comes accountability. We must remember that on the Day of Judgment all of us will face our Lord and answer for our deeds in this world. We must reform our country and society on the basis of morality, justice, mutual trust, equality and peace. We pray to our Lord that our country moves on the path of peace and prosperity and we attain real success and salvation on the Day of Judgment.”