The Caravan for Peace and Justice by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind witnessed a mammoth turnout of men and women. The striking feature of the common gathering was a huge presence of veiled women.
Prominent social activities, intellectuals and leaders of different social organisations addressed the gathering. All speakers were unanimous in the view that the Peace and Justice go hand in hand. They are complementary to each other. Neither can be established in the absence of the other.
Noted social activist and crusader against communalism, Suresh Khairnar elegantly explored the propaganda war against Muslims and their alleged role in terrorist activities. He presented various facts finding reports depicting the clear involvement of right wing activists in such activities. He asked: “Why were so many boys picked up without proper investigation? Who will compensate for the physical torture they underwent besides the isolation their families suffered all through?” He urged the Muslim community to form defamation suits against government atrocities.
Writer of a famous book, Why I am Not a Hindu, Prof. Kancha Ilaiah expressed deep concerns over the rise of communalism in different strata of governance. He said that Dalits got to know their rights only after Islam came to India, and called upon Muslims to distribute the Qur’an among masses.
Abdul Raheem Qureshi, President Majlis-e-Tameer-e-Millat, accused the administration of branding innocent Muslims youth as terrorists and lamented the failure of government in containing the right wing terrorism.
Malik Motasim Khan, State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (AP zone), condemned the efforts of different anti-social elements for de-stabilising the harmonious balances between different religions in plural society. He warned against the branding of terrorism with religion. He was particularly concerned over the use of terms such as “Hindu Terrorism”.
He expressed full faith in Indian Army and welcomed the armed forces’ move to “cleanse its ranks”. He called upon the Election Commission to cancel the registration of parties involved in terror acts. He spoke diplomatically over Telangana issue and opined that JIH is neutral on this issue.
Dr. R. M. Mandal, a Social Activist emphasised the need of interfaith dialogues and tolerance for each other.
K. R. Chowdhary, a Hyderabad based activist against imperialism and communalism recalls his experiences of post-Godhra genocide and urged all the audience to unite against all the forces who are trying to sabotage the peace of the country. He threw light on the plight of Dalits and oppressed sections of the country.
Hashmathullah Khan, General Secretary of SIO, vociferously and emotionally emphasised the need of judicial enquiry in Batla House encounter and urged the government for the same. He underlined the fact that Muslim youth and students are feeling alienated, insecure and ghettoised. This has to be changed if the country has to prosper. He vehemently condemned the spitting incident at Delhi University.
All India Patriotic Forum’s founder Amaresh Misra said in February next a rally demanding a law against communal violence would be held in Delhi. He said this law should include compensation to victims and individual accountability to the perpetrators of crimes. He said that Muslim youth have been trapped on the basis of a profiling with a bigger conspiracy.
Retired Chief Justice of AP, Sardar Ali Khan, admitted that India lacks Justice. He noted that the problem of Peace and Justice is humanitarian and should not be linked with religion per se. He opines that religion should not be branded with terrorism or terrorists. He accused powerful elements in police and the state apparatus of seeking to destroy the fundamental character of the Constitution of India.
The gathering was also addressed by Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri, prominent thinker and national President of JIH. He lambasted the UPA government for the present socio-political plight of Indian minorities in general and Muslims in particular. He urged people to stand for the cause of Peace and Justice. He emphasised that the constitutional rights of every citizen should be respected as it is a duty of the state to ensure them.
He blamed the media for its failure to distinguish between an accused and a suspect and urged it to be impartial and unbiased in reporting incidents. He urged all intellectuals and likeminded people to fight for Peace and Justice.
The meeting called for liberating law enforcing agencies and individuals from all kinds of prejudices and bigotry to ensure enduring peace.
In a resolution it said the exposure of involvement of Sangh Parivar and military official in terrorist attacks had created a ‘dangerously convoluted’ situation in the country. The ‘reckless sensationalism’ of news by media had led to an unprecedented communal divide and mutual distrust. There was a growing sense of insecurity among the minorities, especially Muslims and Christians.
In another resolution, the assemblage called for establishment of independent tribunal to investigate all incidents of terror, police atrocities and torture occurred during the last decade. It wanted an effective mechanism to be put in place to ensure honest and unbiased reporting by media.