Jamaat takes part in SIO-led nationwide protests against arrest of Muslim youths

New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind participated in the SIO-led march to Parliament House here on Thursday (22nd Nov.) to press the demand to stop the continued arresting of innocent Muslim youths in false terror cases in various parts of the country. Similar protests were taken out in many state capitals wherein Jamaat leaders along with leaders of other Muslim organizations participated actively.

Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) expressing deep concern over the continued chain of detaining and arresting of innocent Muslim youths in the name of counter terrorism across the country since a long time, took out the protest demonstrations. Leaders of SIO, Jamaat and other Muslim organizations addressed the gatherings.

In New Delhi, around 1000 people mostly students from various universities and colleges in Delhi and neighboring areas including Jamia Millia, Hamdard University, Delhi University, JNU and AMU participated in the March to Parliament. Later the march took a shape of public conference which was addressed by Jamaat secretaries Mohammad Ahmed and Shafi Madani besides Mohd. Azharuddin, national president of SIO, SQR Ilyas, general secretary, Welfare Party of India, Abdul Wahab Khilji, Jamiat Ahle Hadees, Dr. Tasleem Rahmani, Muslim Political Council of India, Akhlaq Ahmed and Abu Bakr Sabbaq, Association for Protection of Civil Rights and others. At the end of the program, the organizers submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s office.

All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Welfare Party of India, Jamia Students Solidarity Forum and Alliance for Social Justice, Delhi University also supported the demonstration.

A big protest demonstration on the issue was organized in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. Er. Mohammad Saleem, National Secretary (Public Relations) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and leaders from local umbrella group Rajasthan Muslim Forum took part in the protest demonstration. Around 400 people took part in the march that covered 5 kms and culminated in a public meeting. At the end of the program, a delegation of the leaders submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary at state secretariat.

Such protest demonstrations were taken out in Patna, Bangalore, Hyderabad and other state capitals.

“On one side, the police and the government agencies arrest innocent Muslim youths under serious charges and on the other side, the media projects them, much before their trial in courts of law, as masterminds and terrorists. As a result, their lives and the lives of their families are ruined. When these cases are heard in courts of law, the police and investigating agencies fail miserably to prove the allegations they level against these innocent Muslim youths. After suffering incarceration and ignominy for as long as over 20 years, the courts declare them innocent and acquit them,” said SIO in a media statement.

In the past decade, hundreds of Muslim youths arrested under charges of terror plots have been declared as innocents and released from jail. In many cases, courts have castigated the police and intelligence agencies for filing false cases and fabrication of evidence. But during this period, the best years of the life – of arrested youths – are ruined, their houses and families are shattered, and their relations and friends are estranged. In these circumstances, the acquitted Muslim youths face only a dark future ahead.

“SIO firmly believes that infiltration of communal elements into police and intelligence agencies is responsible for all the agonies faced by innocent people in terror related cases. It is bringing shame to the law enforcement structure of the country while the real culprits of most terrorism related cases roam freely, thanks to the self-deceiving approach of the concerned authorities,” India’s largest Muslim youth group said in a press statement after the protest demonstration.

Following demands have been made in the memorandum submitted to the PMO today:

1. Free and fair investigation and end bias in law enforcement.

2. Stop custodial torture and use of third degree methods by police and intelligence agencies.

3. Compensation and rehabilitation must be given to innocents who have been wrongly booked under terror charges.

4. All terror related cases must be tried on a day-to-day basis so that the innocents get released soon.

5. Strict action must be taken against police personnel and investigation agencies personnel who are responsible for fabrication of evidence against innocents.

6. Repeal all draconian laws including Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), MACOCA, sedition laws and Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Any law for curbing terrorism must confirm with International Human Rights Standards.

7. Intelligence Bureau must come under the audit of the Comptroller and Auditor General.