Kozhikode, Feb. 15:
A mass rally and fraternal conference, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala here Wednesday, drew thousands of participants united under the banner of “Resist Hindutva.” Men, women, and children converged to denounce Hindutva fascism and its discriminatory agendas, marking a significant public stance against anti-Muslim campaigns.
Giant banners prominently showcased the Hindutva campaign concerning Gyanvapi and Mathura mosques, the reconstruction of Babri Masjid, and widespread anti-Muslim violence throughout India, including the recent tragic incidents in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, among other pertinent issues.
Speaking to the mammoth gathering, Abdul Batin Nomani, Imam of Gyanvapi Masjid, challenged the Sangh Parivar, asserting that their assertions regarding the mosque are baseless and fabricated. Nomani stressed the absence of historical evidence in Varanasi supporting the existence of a temple at the mosque’s location. He clarified that the area purportedly used for worship was, in fact, a site near the mosque designated for storing temple assets.
Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, inaugurated the conference and cautioned that the attacks on mosques across the nation would not only adversely affect Muslims but also detrimentally impact the entire country.
Husaini condemned the chief ministers of BJP-governed states, alleging that they are engaged in a race to propagate hatred. He further underscored instances of mosques being demolished clandestinely, purportedly as part of land encroachment schemes, despite widespread encroachment on thousands of acres of disputed land.
The conference concluded with a diverse array of voices, as Muslim scholars, leaders, journalists, and Dalit writers alike took to the podium to address the gathering. Their collective presence underscored the unity in diversity and the broad coalition against the rising tide of intolerance and discrimination. Through their impassioned speeches and shared resolve, they reaffirmed the importance of solidarity in confronting the challenges posed by communalism and bigotry, advocating for a more inclusive and harmonious society for all.