New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Women’s Department held a Special Press Conference to introduce Nationwide JIH campaign – ‘Morality is Freedom’ which will be launched in September, 2024. The Press Meet was addressed by addressed by Rahamathunnissa A, National Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Shaista Rafat, National Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. It was moderated by Rabia Basri, National Assistant Secretary and Media in charge of Women’s Department. The following Press Note was circulated on the occasion.

PRESS NOTE

The wave of violence against women
The Women’s Department of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) expresses deep concern over the continued harassment, growing number of sexual assaults, violence, and ever-increasing cases of homicide against women and girls in India. The deeply ingrained social inequalities, misogyny, prejudice, and discrimination against women within Indian society complicate matters, particularly when it comes to sexual violence against marginalized women, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and women with disabilities. Incidents, such as the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case in Kolkata (West Bengal), the gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old Dalit girl in Gopalpur (Bihar), the rape and murder of a Muslim nurse in Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), and the sexual assault of two kindergarten girls in a school in Badlapur (Maharashtra) prove that the mindset and attitude towards women and girls in our country needs serious introspection. The partially released Hema committee report in Kerala reveals the lack of safety for women even in extremely liberal workplaces like the entertainment industry. As per data from the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), crimes against women are increasing year after year. However, these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg, as they are based on reported cases. The quantum of cases that are suppressed or go unnoticed deliberately or otherwise is significantly higher. Another striking aspect of this disturbing trend is personified by Bilkis Bano’s (who was gang-raped in the 2002 Gujarat pogrom) arduous struggle for justice. Her case stands as a stark testimony to the systemic bias and insensitivity entrenched in our institutions. The efforts of political establishments to secure the release of convicted criminals further reveals the disturbing complicity of politicians in such heinous acts. This is underscored by the recent ADR report, which shockingly highlights that 151 sitting legislators currently face charges of crimes against women.

Erosion of Moral Values
We strongly believe that these atrocities against women are only but a symptom of a widely spreading disease that is affecting the peace and progress of our nation. The root cause of this menace is the decline of moral values. The lack of moral values in society leads to problems such as the objectification of women, sexual exploitation and abuse, widespread consumption of pornography, extramarital affairs, and infidelity, increased use of alcohol and drugs, suicides, increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), rise in abortions, increase in sexual violence and rape, sexualization of culture, breakdown of the family unit and the normalization of immorality that is fast eroding the moral fabric of society. Moreover, the growing influence of communal and caste-based politics, driven by the desire to subjugate and dominate certain communities and castes, is worsening the situation. Criminals and accused individuals are increasingly being portrayed as heroes, with their crimes not only excused but even celebrated. We also need to raise awareness against communal and caste hatred so that society and its norms recognize these as deeply immoral and unethical acts that require strong condemnation, rather than celebration. Our youth is gripped by chaos, loneliness, frustration, and stress, which affects their productivity and progress. The worst part is whatever was earlier considered immoral and unethical is now becoming socially acceptable. What people used to do in the darkness or hidden from the public is now being done publicly with no shame or guilt. The framing of laws in favor of immoral activities is also contributing to their rapid spread in society. We are convinced that only by addressing this root cause (decline in moral values), can we bring out meaningful change in society.

Nationwide JIH campaign – ‘Morality is Freedom’ in September, 2024
We are launching a month-long campaign in September 2024 with the theme – ‘Morality is Freedom’. The campaign aims to create awareness of what is real freedom and how it is linked with morality. Only by following moral values can one attain real and lasting freedom and fulfillment in life. The campaign aims at ensuring the required freedom for all to fulfill their basic needs and avail the fundamental rights irrespective of caste, color, gender, religion, or region. This, we believe can only be achieved by adhering to certain rules which we call moral values. Awareness programs will be organized involving educationists, counselors, lawyers, religious scholars, and community leaders at the national, state, district, and grassroots levels. Special programs will be organized at campuses to educate students and the youth on the importance of following moral values for lasting joy and freedom and relieve them from the clutches of the pseudo-liberal ideologies that entrap individuals into false notions of freedom and make them slaves of immoral behavior. There will be special programs involving scholars from different religions to bring into public debate the common moral values in every religion and culture.

From Left to Right: Rabia Basri , Rahamathunnissa A, and Shaista Rafat