PRESS RELEASE

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind opposes any move to dilute SC/ST Act;

Also advocates passing Communal Violence Bill in the line with SC/ST act for protection of minorities.

New Delhi, 7^th April 2018: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has offered its support and cooperation towards efforts undertaken to prevent dilution in the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Addressing to the media at its monthly press meet the Secretary General of JIH, Muhammad Salim Engineer said: “Jamaat is opposed in principle to anything that will affect the constitutional and legal protection given to the vulnerable sections of our society. There cannot be any compromise when it comes to protection of the downtrodden. Jamaat feels that these directives by the apex court about the act would result in dilution of its provisions, reduce the fear of law and result in more violations against the oppressed castes and tribes.Hence Jamaat hopes the Supreme Court will reconsider those directives favorably and positively to rule out apprehensions. Jamaat hopes that the proposed ‘Communal Violence Bill’ shall be passed by Parliament as it will offer protection to the basic rights of minorities just as the SC / ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act offers protection to SCs and STs’’.

The JIH Secretary General averred: “We feel it is very clear that violence against Dalits, tribals, backward sections and minorities has increased substantially in the past few years. So anything which would impede the prosecution of those guilty of oppressing the Dalits cannot be viewed in favor of social justice. We feel that if the government of India had reacted much earlier to the Supreme Court order then it could have saved the lives of many and prevented the destruction of property. We supportthose fighting for the legitimate rights of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes and express grief and offer our condolences at the loss of lives during protests against the changes in SC/ST Act. Jamaat advocates peaceful protests and condemns any violence and destruction of public property’’.

Salim Engineeralso expressed concern at the recent incidents of communal violence in West Bengal and Bihar. He said: “Attacking and vandalizing places of worship has been a familiar style of operation adopted by the communal and anti-social elements. But behind these acts on ground-zero is a diabolical effort by the fascist and communal political leadership who want to polarize society on the basis of caste and community in order to reap electoral benefits and further their political agenda. The virus of communal violence has to be addressed both politically as well as at the social level. Jamaat has always tried its best to renew and cement the ties between communities of different religions through its Sadbhavna Manch and Dharmik Jan Morcha. We appeal to all sections of society to maintain communal harmony and not to fall prey to the divisive forces who want to polarize society and weaken the nation’’.

Issued by

Media Department

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind