Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in its monthly press briefing at its headquarters on 6 February expressed grave concern over recent arrest of Muslim youths on charges of terrorism and the government’s position against granting minority status to AMU.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Salim Engineer, Secretary General Jamaat-e-Islami Hind said that earlier Home Minister Rajnath Singh on many occasions had declared that ISIS does not have any existence in India and Indian Muslims would never fall prey to ISIS. But the recent arrests and the charges levelled against Muslim youth is contrary to what was said earlier. He also said that it is not only the question of discrimination of only Dalits in institutions; they are discriminated at all levels in all sectors, including minorities. Jamaat has always stood for them and has raised its voice against all such discriminations and atrocities against Dalits, minorities and weaker sections of the society and will continue to do so.
Jamaat believes that these Muslim youth have been framed unjustly and would be later acquitted by the courts in the same manner as many Muslim youth were earlier arrested but acquitted after spending years behind bars. Jamaat has demanded from the Central government to withdraw all charges and release immediately all those Muslim youths arrested merely on suspicion and without any solid evidence against them.
Nusrat Ali, Vice President of JIH, while replying to a question said AMU minority character is a legal and as well as political issue and Jamaat is in consultation with AMU old boys and other Muslims groups and whenever required they would intervene as and when necessary. H also cautioned that it is also important to note that BJP tries to polarise the issue and the community should refrain from doing anything that can help them to polarise the situation. He said it has legal and political meaning and should be dealt with accordingly.
Jamaat has also made some useful suggestions for the Union Budget 2016-17 like greater allocation to the social sector, rural development, resource generation, interest-free mode of finance for farm credit and interest-free banking.