A monthly press conference convened by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind took place at their media hall this past Saturday. The focus was on addressing the ongoing crisis facing minorities in India. The panelists, Inamur Rehman Khan, Prof. Salim Engineer, Malik Mohtasim Khan, and Rahamathunnisa, shared their insights and concerns.
The discussion delved into various pressing issues, including recent interferences in Muslim personal law in Assam and Uttarakhand, cases of custodial rape, the closure of the Maulana Azad Education Foundation, protection of Muslim places of worship, and the situation in Gaza. Discussions included the distinction between personal beliefs and constitutional law, emphasizing that coercion only promotes disintegration.
Unifrom Civil Code
The panel discussed the implementation of UCC in Uttarakhand and how it is a way of targeting the minority groups of the country. Irrespective of existing directive principles like alcohol bans and property distribution remaining unimplemented, the government appears inclined to introduce new principles, potentially posing challenges for India’s minority communities, the panel emphasized.
The panel questioned the exemption of Adivasis from the UCC if the idea of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is for uniformity in the country.
“While these laws purportedly aim at regulating Muslim marriages, there’s a silence when it comes to practices like the marriage between a maternal uncle and niece in Andhra Pradesh. How will UCC be implemented in such circumstances? Malik questiuoned.
“UCC is being proposed with the intention to target and harass Muslims, but its implications extend beyond just one community. The recent demolitions in Delhi and elsewhere prove this reality,” remarked Malik Muatasim Khan.
Demolitions
The panel discussed ongoing legal cases pertaining to three mosques in Delhi, notably the Masjid Sunehri Bagh Kangal Shah Masjid and Masjid Akhundji. Concerns were voiced regarding unauthorized demolitions and inadequate protection provided by authorities.
Furthermore, the panel noted that Masjid Akhundji was designated as an ASI-protected monument and there was an expectation for the ASI to initiate legal action regarding the demolition; however, no such discussion or action was observed from their end.
Increasing Custodial Rapes
Rahama Tun Nisa, national secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, highlighted alarming statistics of custodial rapes and stressed the urgent need for gender sensitivity training and comprehensive social reforms.
“Between 2017 and 2022, there were 270 reported cases of rape of women in custody. However, the true number remains unknown, as many cases likely went unreported,” she explained.
“The perpetrators of these acts are predominantly police personnel and jail staff,” added Rahama Tun Nisa. “It’s tragic that those we look up to for protection commit such atrocities.”
