Post-independence problems and Muslims have become corollaries of each other as whenever Muslims are discussed, problems automatically find its place; and when problems are talked about, Muslims naturally become part of the discussion. The types and number of problems are also unlimited. Muslim leaders are often perplexed as to which issue to be given precedence. Every evening of theirs is spent on finding a solution to one problem and the next day another issue arises.
“Ek do Zakhm nahi sara jism hai chalni / Dard bechara pareshan hai kahaN se Uthe” (The whole body is injured and the pain does not know where it should begin with).
In the post-partition days a series of riots took place. Lakhs of victims of the recent Assam riots are still spending their lives in camps in an appalling condition. Uttar Pradesh has witnessed 9 riots in 8 months in which Muslims suffered a lot of loss of lives and properties. Up till now 60,000 riots have taken place post-independence in which lakhs of people were killed and properties worth crores of rupees were destroyed. Riots in Nellie of Assam, Moradabad, Meerut, Maliana, Hashimpura, Bhagalpur, Aligarh, Mumbai and Gujarat have crossed all limits of brutality and inhumanness. In every part of the country where Muslims were financially strong, riots under well-planned conspiracy were unleashed to render Muslims weak.
One the one hand the continuous and consistent riots broke the back of Muslims whereas on the other hand it painted the wrong picture of the nation. When international human rights organisations raised their concerns and when various commissions were set up to investigate the real cause of riots, the enemies of Islam and Muslims started finding it difficult to carry on with their agenda; so they began to act upon their new strategy – bomb blasts. As a result highly educated and innocent Muslim youths were picked up and implicated in false cases and this act is still going on unabated. As of now more than 1000 innocent youths are behind bars on baseless charges of terrorism.
After the arrests the youths were tortured in a very brutal way and their sentiments were also played with. The desecration of the Qur’ān and other religious books was committed before their eyes, the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) was abused, pages of the Qur’ān were thrown in toilets and they were kept from sleeping for many days together. Their delicate private parts were burnt with cigarettes; they were forced to drink urine, the so-called protectors of law rained lathis on them, they were made to sign on blank papers, forced acceptance of crime was also made to be done before the relatives of those died in blasts, besides those arrested, their family members and friends were also harassed and threatened with dire consequences. The Bar Council not only refused to take their case, but those who were willing to take their cases were threatened and they were beaten in court premises. Mohammad Shoeb, Advocate from Lucknow and Noor Mohammad from Ujjain are a few examples. Mumbai’s Shahid Azmi was killed as he was pleading the case of Faheem Ansari, whom the court released as innocent. The hatred from Muslims and Islam reached such a sorry pass that the police officer of Maharashtra Special Cell Hemant Karkare, who was investigating into and tightening the noose on Hindutva organisations, was killed.
Apart from torture, some of the innocents were also killed within the jail with the help of other prisoners. The recent murder of Qateel Siddiqui is a testimony to such acts. When Muslim leaders directed the attention of the then Home Minister P Chidambaram, he saved himself by saying, “It is state’s matter” and he could not do anything for the betterment of the situation. Another astonishing statement that came from him during interaction was when he said, “Muslims’ main problem is illiteracy and unemployment, you have brought this (illegal arrests) issue for the first time.”
While arresting innocent Muslim youths, the protectors of law themselves insulted the law. They ridiculed the Constitution of India as at the time of arrest no one from the local police station was informed; neither the family members were informed nor did they have any warrant from the court. They did not tell the charges against the accused and most importantly they were arrested from some place but the police record showed something else. They crossed all limits when they arrested the accused empty-handed and showed that large amounts of RDX and other explosive materials were found with the person. They were treated as culprits instead of accused. They were tortured for months after getting remand. Dozens of cases were slapped against them. After filing the charge-sheet the trial in the court took place months after it. Family members were prohibited from meeting the accused. In short, laws were ridiculed.
Except for the Urdu media, the role of media was highly irresponsible. The news of arrests were shown on front pages, accused were presented as culprits, police version was presented as the gospel truth, electronic media flashed the news the whole day so much so that it was shown that the existence of the country was under threat. All the Muslims were portrayed as terrorists and the photographs of Urdu books were presented as Jihadi literature. The news of acquittal was completely sidelined and even the big programmes that were organised on this issue were not reported.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, since its inception, incorporated all the problems of Muslims in its agenda. On the one hand while it worked to reduce poverty and illiteracy among the Muslims, on the other hand it also remained at the forefront in bringing peace, prosperity and security after and during riots. The planning and execution of relief and rehabilitation after the riots is one of the visible chapters of Jamaat’s history.
The Jamaat understood the seriousness of the issue of illegal arrests of Muslim youths and took the following measures:
- The arrests were condemned and various means like press conferences, press releases, memorandums, seminars, symposiums, newspapers, etc., were used.
- Islamic teachings were propagated and various books were published in different languages.
- For collective protest, meetings with leaders and other authorities were organised. Other influential Muslims and non-Muslims were made aware of the reality.
- Other Muslim and non-Muslim organisations were contacted and joint committees were formed and many programmes were organised.
- Meetings with families of victims were organised; they were given legal guidance and helped financially. On the occasion of the last Eid, 90 families were given Rs. 10,000 each.
- Participated in the rehabilitation of those released and they were given assistance in establishing their businesses. Recently Mohammad Aamir was given Rs. 5 lakh as rehabilitation amount.
- To make people aware Jan Sunwai programmes were organised in Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal and Lucknow where the victims narrated their harrowing tales. Recently Mumbai refused to give permission to hold the Jan Sunwai programme. Hopefully, there will be many more such programmes in other states.
- State Units were also directed to educate people about the incidents.
- Detailed documents of those arrested were attained and right now the Jamaat has documents of 621 people. A committee comprising three secretaries has been formed in Markaz which keeps a close eye on such events. The secretaries include Engineer Mohammad Salim, Mr. Shafi Madni, and this writer, who happens to be the convener of this committee.
- To give legal help to victims the Jamaat has formed APCR (Association for Protection for Civil Rights) which so far has intervened in more than 500 cases.
Thanks to Allah that the Jamaat’s activities are bringing in results. The Millat is awakening from its slumber and every person, belonging to any ideology or group, is raising his voice. The Ummah which was up till now in a state of fear is recovering from it. People are now jumping in to the fray and most prominent name in this regard is of Mohammad Adeeb, Member of Parliament, who, with his endeavour, recently organised a programme entitled “People’s Campaign Against Political Terror” where leaders from various political parties participated.
With the help of Jamaat and other organisations many peace and justice loving citizens of the country have come forward. The judiciary has also shown interest and with the help of Allah some youths from Delhi, Rajasthan and Hyderabad have been acquitted after spending 12 -14 years in jail. I have written “with the help of Allah” because it is Allah who blesses our efforts and secondly it was Allah who made Swami Aseemanand confess not just his involvement but also gave the names of others also who were involved.
The acquittal has reinforced the faith in the judiciary however Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has used all its resources and has passed on to the government that the trial period should be made more transparent, fast and easy. The guidelines related to arrest given in the Constitution should be followed and acquitted youths should be given fair compensation. Those who were behind the arrest and false implication should be given stringent punishments.
The Jamaat calls upon the Millat to understand the conspiracies, represent Islam in word and deed, struggle along with like-minded people for peace and reconciliation, rise above the sectarian differences and present one Millat-e-Wahida. Actually the scenario prevailing in the country is a part of the global conspiracy. Falsehood is fighting its last battle to save itself. The signs of the rise of the sun are apparent.
Tundi-e baad-e-mukhalif se na ghabra ay uqaab / Ye to chalti hai tujhe ooncha udane ke liye (Do not fear the intensity of the opposing wind, O Eagle /It only blows to help you fly even higher).
[The writer is Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind; Translation from Urdu by Kamran Shahid Ansari]