New Delhi: The Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Muhammad Salim Engineer wants the Babri Masjid demolition accused to be quickly brought to justice. Addressing a press conference the JIH Vice President said: “The Supreme Court has unambiguously ruled in its Ayodhya verdict of 9 November that the surreptitious installation of idols in 1949 was a desecration of the Masjid and its demolition in 1992 was an illegal act. Hence, those accused of demolishing the Masjid should be tried in a fast-track court and awarded the appropriate punishment as soon as possible. The slow pace of the trial, despite open evidence, suggests that the government is not serious about convicting those who were behind the illegal act of vandalism and destruction. If the case moves at its present speed then most of the accused will have left the world unpunished, which would be a travesty of justice.” The JIH National Secretary of Community Affairs, Malik Mohtasim Khan also addressed the media and commented: “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind along with the Muslim community and all justice-loving people of the world are highly disturbed with the Supreme Court judgment on the Babri Masjid. Many legal experts in our country have passed adverse comments on the judgment, and Jamaat feels that the demands of justice and fair play have not been met by awarding the land to those who demolished the Babri Masjid. Jamaat supports the move by the All India Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to file a review petition against the judgment. JIH also backs the Board’s decision to reject the 5 acres of land awarded by the Supreme Court, as Muslims did not litigate for the piece of land but to fight for justice and demand their legitimate rights granted by the Constitution of India.”

Speaking about the recent rape in Hyderabad and the growing number of crimes against women, the JIH Secretary of Women’s department, Atiya Siddiqa and Co-Secretary Rahmatunnisa said: “We condemn the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor in Hyderabad and demand that the perpetrators should be punished at the earliest. The number of rapes and crime against women continues to increase and the latest NCRB data reveals that nearly 4 women are raped every hour while 2 women are molested every 3 minutes in India. Jamaat wants the perpetrators of rape and assault on women to be brought to justice quickly and awarded maximum punishment under the law. The conviction rate in rape cases is extremely low and hence there is no deterrence for its control We hope the government wakes up to its duty to provide safety and security for women and live up to its slogan of “Beti Bachao.”

Issued by:

Media Department,

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind