Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, Mushawarat chief, criticises political parties for ignoring Muslim community
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – In a fervent appeal, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat – Registered (AIMMM) President Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan has urged Muslims to unite and raise their voice against ongoing oppression.
Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, Dr. Khan criticised political parties for neglecting the needs of Muslims despite their substantial voter base.
“All political parties in the country need the votes of Muslims, but they are not ready to do anything for us,” Dr. Khan, also former chief of the Delhi Minorities Commission, stated. “There are 200 million Muslims in the country, yet political parties avoid mentioning Muslims in their programmes, meetings, and rallies. We must reflect on how to overcome this marginalisation.”
Dr. Khan highlighted the increasing instances of hate speech and mob lynching against Muslims, emphasising the lack of administrative action. “For the past ten years, Muslims have been threatened with mass murder in public meetings, yet the administration fails to act against such elements,” he said. “Recently, mob lynching incidents have resumed, especially after the Lok Sabha election results on June 4. These attacks occurred even when no cows were involved, only buffaloes, which are not prohibited.”
He stressed the urgent need for judicial action against hate speech and mob violence. “Strict judicial action could stop these heinous acts, but instead, offenders are being honoured,” Dr. Khan remarked. He assured that the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (Registered) would continue to monitor these issues and advocate for public awareness and legal action.
AIMMM Vice-President Prof. Muhammad Sulaiman called for restructuring the pan-Muslim body to restore its influence. “We need to become a dynamic and inspiring voice once again,” he said. Vice-President Maulana Jinan Asghar echoed this sentiment, stressing the power of peaceful protest. “A protest voice is difficult to fight,” he stated.
Vice-President Maulana Ataur Rehman Qasmi highlighted AIMMM’s history of promoting Hindu-Muslim unity. “It has always been a leading organisation for communal harmony,” he said.
Journalist Masoom Moradabadi expressed regret over the current state of affairs. “It’s a pity that today we have to fight for our existence. We need a planned approach to break this cycle,” he said.
Acting General Secretary Syed Tahsin Ahmed and Governing Body member Dr. Basir Ahmed Khan also emphasised the need for constructive action and peaceful protests. “The Kisan Tehreek and Shaheen Bagh Tehreek are examples of successful protests,” Dr. Khan pointed out.
The press conference was attended by notable figures including Executive Member Mohammad Shams Al-Zahi and Abrar Ahmed Makki. The leaders’ collective call for unity and action resonated strongly, marking a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for Muslim rights and political recognition in India.
