In a routine press meet organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at its headquarters in the Capital on Feb 4, the JIH Deputy Ameer, Prof. K.A. Siddique Hassan touched on a few national and international issues. He welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court in 2G spectrum case and called it a landmark judgment.
While addressing the issue of Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin, he said no threats were given to anyone and the way Muslim organisations are being painted as intolerant and fanatic, with self-generated propaganda as evidences, is wrong. “We are in favour of freedom of expression and we want freedom of expression, however this freedom cannot be absolute,” the JIH leader said. He mentioned Article 19 (1A) of the Constitution which clearly says that one cannot go around hitting other people’s religious sentiments.
Taking a dig at the profiles of the candidates contesting from different constituencies in the upcoming elections in UP, he said as many as 38 per cent of the candidates have criminal or corruption records against them. He said it is very disappointing that before the elections every political party was professing itself to be against corruption but when the time of action has come, tickets have been given to corrupt and anti-social people. He advised Muslims to elect non-communal and anti-fascist candidates from their constituencies and requested them not to get divided as it may help sectarian forces gain majority.
Mr. Hassan vehemently condemned the decision of the SIT to close the files of Gujarat riot victims’ cases. He said the reason for the formation of SIT was to deliver justice to the victims; however a significant number of officials from Gujarat police in SIT strengthen the apprehensions about the fair investigation. He alleged that there have been continuous efforts to protect the Chief Minister, who is responsible for the state sponsored carnage. He demanded that the cases should be shifted outside Gujarat and the CBI investigating team with all officials from outside Gujarat be given this responsibility.
The issue of illegal picking up of Muslim youths by police officials was also raised by Mr. Hassan. He expressed concerns over the fate of thousands of Muslims languishing in jails for no fault of theirs, only to be released years later as innocents.
He also condemned the violence and killings of innocent people in Syria at the hands of the President Bashar Al Assad. The Syrian people have been deprived of citizens’ rights and are facing grave violations of human rights. He demanded from the Indian government to take necessary actions to restore the much needed peace and justice in Syria.