The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) chief condemned the violence and the subsequent demolition of houses and shops of the accused in Khargone of MP by the state administration unequivocally and demanded immediate end to the demolition.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Expressing deep anguish over the communal violence in several parts across the country on the occasion of Ram Navami, President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) Maulana Mehmood Madani wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging him to take immediate steps to ensure that such incidents which may lead the country to anarchy do not recur.
The maulana condemned the violence and the subsequent demolition of houses and shops of the accused in Khargone of MP by the state administration unequivocally.
What’s of concern to him is the fact that the rioters have made it a pattern to head to the Muslim localities and chant hateful slogans, carry out highly provocative acts and desecrate and even destroy mosques and other places of worship. The way they are carrying out all these illegal activities with impunity reflects on their impunity. They have no fear of law enforcing agencies.
In the letter, the Jamiat chief sought drew the attention of the Home Minister to communal violence in Khargone in Madhya Pradesh where several homes and religious places were looted before setting them on fire. Pointing out that after the riots, local administration has taken over the task of harassing the Muslim minority, he asked why else would they go far razing properties belonging to Muslims In a selective manner.
He raised the question the laws under which properties of suspects of any crime are allowed to be demolished. “Article 21 of the Constitution of India gives the accused the right to a fair trial, get bail, hire a criminal lawyer, free legal aid; but now, a government is violating this right by demolishing houses of people who it holds accountable for the riots on the basis of their religion.
Maualna Madani said he had been informed by local residents and local unit of the Jamiat that so far 16 houses and 29 commercial shops, mostly belonging to Muslims, have been demolished. More than 75 Muslims have been arrested so far. Local Police team is creating a fear psychosis among the minority community.
Seeing all this, there is a deep sense of injustice in Muslims.
He demanded a time-bound high-level judicial inquiry into the Khargon violence. “I also request you to prosecute all those who instigated the violence during the procession that caused this entire incident to happen.”
In his letter to Shah, the maulana said, “I would also request you to pay attention to the discriminatory modus operandi of the law-enforcement agencies. There must be an immediate halt to the demolition of the properties, as it is believed that many innocent and poor are wrongly being caught in the drive. I hope that your good offices will intervene in the matter adequately, which will restore the faith of the minority community.”
Meanwhile, JUH General Secretary, Maulana Hakeemuddin Qasmi, is in constant touch with the top officials of Ghargon. He is assisting local units led by Mufti Rafiq and Hafiz Idrees in restoring peace in the region and helping those persecuted unduly by the police.
