New Delhi, April 8: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has demanded the Union Government to make access to food and health facility a right of all citizens of the country without any discrimination. While welcoming the National Food Security Bill 2013 in principle, Jamaat demanded the government to remove the shortcomings to make the law effective. Jamaat also demanded that this law should not be left at the mercy of states to implement; rather the central government should take responsibility to implement it in the entire country. Jamaat demanded passage of the bill in the current Budget session.

A day after the conclusion of the four-day session of the Central Council of Representatives (CCR), Ameer (National President) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari today briefed pressmen at the headquarters of the Jamaat about the resolutions adopted at CCR. He was accompanied by top leaders of the Jamaat including Secretary General Nusrat Ali, National Secretaries Ejaz Ahmed Aslam and Mohammad Salim Engineer and secretaries Mohammad Ahmed and Rafeeque Qasmi. Some 148 members of CCR including 19 women from across the country attended the session from 4-7 April.

CCR took up several issues concerning the community and the country for deliberation in the four-day session. The issues included the food security bill, arrest of Muslim youths in terror cases, communal violence bill and violence in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

“In a country where on the one hand there is a considerable increase in production of food grains and go-downs prove insufficient while on the other hand a big chunk of population in the country is victim of starvation, such a law is an inevitable need,” said CCR in its resolution on Food Security Bill.

Highlighting various discrepancies in the bill, CCR said the bill is still below the expectations of the people.

“The Government has not accepted all citizens’ right to food as yet and even after the enactment of this law a big chunk of the population in the country would remain deprived of the fundamental right to food. Thus the Government is practising evasion in determining the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and its proper standards. Even in the latest draft the citizens of the country have been divided into privileged and general categories. According to it, a total 35 kilograms of food grains will be given to only 2.5 crore (25 million) viz. 10% families. This is a very small part of the poor population of the country. Besides, 57% population has been ensured 5 kgs food grains each – which is not sufficient from any angle. According to acknowledged standards, an adult requires 14 kgs of food grains and a child 7 kgs every month. The present offer of 5 kgs food grains each is not enough to meet the need even of a child. While 33% population of the country has been kept out of the purview of this law. It is feared that a large number of poor population will remain deprived of the benefits of this law as long as all the citizens are not ensured 35 kgs of food grains every month.”

The Bill has no provision for the fulfilment of food requirements of the deprived, homeless, mentally and physically handicapped and waifs. For such persons the availability of food grains on the basis of ration card or Aadhar card is not possible nor can they benefit from these grains.Jamaat leaders also briefed media about other resolutions of the CCR.

Arrests of Innocent Muslims in terror cases:
Central Council of Representatives of Jamaat expressed its grave concern that the chain of arrest of Muslim youths in false terror cases is on despite promise from the government to put a check on it. The CCR welcomed the statement of Union Home Minister about setting up fast track courts for cases related to terrorism. But it warned the Government against this promise eventually remaining a mere poll gimmick. The CCR opposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which had been strongly opposed by human rights organisations and certain state governments.

CCR also demanded repeal of  amended UAPA law, compensation to persons acquitted by courts in terror cases, action on Nimesh Commission Report and withdrawal of false cases levelled against Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi and establishment of a Judicial Commission for high level enquiry into all big cases of terrorism.

Prevention of Communal Violence Bill:
CCR demanded the Union Government to get the Bill adopted in the current Budget Session of Parliament after correcting the objectionable portions of it in accordance with the amendments suggested by Muslim and human rights organisations. It also demanded the Government to keep its long overdue promise of launching Anti-Riot Force with full representation of minorities and weaker and oppressed sections so that biased attitude of the police and secret agencies could be contained.

Scenario in Bangladesh:
CCR expressed concern over conviction of Jamaat Islami Bangladesh leaders for alleged 1971 war crimes without giving them full opportunity to defend and despite the fact that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, during his regime, had withdrawn all the cases by declaring general amnesty in all the matters related to 1971. The CCR appealed to international organisations, the movement of Non-Aligned countries, SAARC and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to make efforts to keep the Bangladesh government from this oppression and excesses. It also appealed to the Government of India to maintain its relations not only with the ruling party but to establish cordial and friendly relations with the opposition parties Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) as well. CCR also condemned in severe terms the attacks on the Hindu minority of Bangladesh and on temples and demanded the Government of Bangladesh to punish the guilty.

Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar:
CCR said that it is unfortunate that the international forces that always stand concerned about the religious minorities living in Muslim countries and take proper action whenever they want, are totally silent over the violence and oppression committed against the Muslim minority in Myanmar. The CCR appealed to all justice-loving countries, international organisations of peace and integrity as well as the Government of India to make use of their diplomatic relations with the Government of Myanmar to impress upon them to stop the killings so that the situation over there might be normal there and the refugee Burmese Muslims taking shelter in many countries including India might return to their houses.