Demolition of Babri Masjid and Demand for its Reconstruction

 Twenty One years have passed since the demolition of Babri Masjid but Muslims have not yet got justice. The demolition of Babri Masjid was not demolition of just a mosque, rather it was the murder of constitution and justice. The trial is going on so slowly that judgment does not look possible in near future. The attitude of the government and administration so far has been very disappointing and shameful. The mysterious missing of important files of Babri Masjid case also puts a question mark on the style of functioning of the official machinery.

The attitude of the government in the entire case has been condemnable – whether  it is of the state government of Uttar Pradesh or of the central government. Both remained mute spectators when the Babri Masjid was being demolished. The then prime minister Narasimha Rao had assured Muslims many times that he won’t allow anyone to touch Babri Masjid. But when due to his negligent attitude the mosque was demolished, he promised from the ramparts of Red Fort on 15th August 1993that the mosque would be rebuilt at the same place. The promise has remained just a promise till day. Now it seems as if no such promise was ever made.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind strongly feels that the demolition of Babri Masjid and no serious move to rebuild it at the same site have put a question mark on the rule of law, the supremacy of constitution and the functioning of judiciary. The demolition of the mosque is the most shameful incident of atrocity on Muslims in the history of India which history will never forgive.

There has been no progress in the court proceeding against the persons responsible for the demolition of the Masjid. Effective steps for punishing the perpetrators is a must.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind feels that all peace-loving people of the country must continue their peaceful struggle for the restoration of Babri Masjid so that the shameful blot on the face of India could be removed. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind appeals to the governemnt and juditiary and civil society to do their duty to end the this open atrocity and restore the house of God.

 Moral Degeneration and Responsibility of Judiciary

Judiciary is considered guardian of society. But it is unfortunate that some court verdicts tend to legalise vices like homosexuality and live-in relationship. In a recent judgement, the Apex Court asked Parliament to framed guidelines and make a law to address the ‘concerns’ of those already in the outside-marriage relationship. More unfortunately, the judgement said that live-in relationship is neither a crime nor a sin. A court of law is indeed within its jurisdiction to ascertain whether or not a particular act is crime. But it is beyond its jurisdiction to say whether or not an act is sin. It is religion and scriptures alone that determine what is sin and what not. The verdict also undermines the sanctity of family system and the institution of marriage.

Therefore, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind demands that the court review its judgement, and call upon Parliament not to legalise live-in relationship but instead to make law to curb all promiscuous acts including homosexuality and live-in relationship that lead to moral turpitude.

Humiliation of women and violence against them

Allah Almighty has created human beings as males and females and declared them to be equally respectable. Men have been given greater burden of responsibility and superiority in some respects. The Shariat has also given men a little more rights than women. This has been done to maintain balance in the society. It is not meant for committing atrocities or exploitations.

It is a matter of regret that in the entire world and particularly in our country India, atrocities on women and their sexual harassment are not decreasing. Recently a self-styled religious leader and his son have been arrested for sexual exploitation of several women. A senior journalist who is also a human rights activist has also been accused of similar charges which are yet to be proved. The situation seems to be going out of control so much so that now a retired judge of the Supreme Court has been accused of sexual harassment of a law intern while he was in office.

Lakhs of working women are facing sexual harassment at workplaces. Even women walking on streets are being harassed. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind views the situation with grave concern and feels that the basic qualities of modesty, gentlemanliness, and respect to women should be awakened. Besides, there is also a need to check free mixing of sexes and provocative and immodest dresses of women. There is a need to put restrictions on films, TV channels, serials and newspapers which are presenting women as sex-toys and entertainment commodity. This is provoking young and immature minds. The desired changes cannot be achieved through laws only. Fear of God, sense of accountability, human respect and respect to women and moral values also have important role to play.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has been striving to popularize the abovementioned moral values. It is necessary that all sections of the society including Muslims and non Muslims, media and social activists take part in this peaceful Jihad.

Jamaat feels that hedonism and licentiousness are at the root of all moral evils. Without removing these concepts, it is impossible to combat sexual anarchy, immodesty, nudity and sexual harassment of women. Jamaat appeals to all countrymen particularly Muslims to take part in this peaceful Jihad to promote moral values and to eradicate immodesty, immorality, and harassment of women and cooperate with the Jamaat in this noble work so that a morally upright society can be evolved in India.