New Delhi, 12 Sep 2014: Mr. Nusrat Ali, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, has written a to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the spurt in saffron hate campaign against minorities, particularly Muslims since Bharatiya Janata Party came to power at the Centre in May this year. In his three-page letter sent to Mr. Singh on 10th Sep, Jamaat leader said the hate campaign will not only harm the plural and secular character of the country but also obstruct the development plans of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He urged the government to follow Raj Dharma and reassure constitutional rights of minorities and stressed that without taking all communities along, India cannot develop and progress.

Text of the Letter:

To

Honourable Rajnath Singh

Union Minister for Home Affairs

New Delhi

 

Subject: Hate Campaign against Minorities

Dear Sir,

Through this letter, we would like to draw your kind attention to the spurt in hate campaign and provocative speeches targeting minorities, particularly Muslims in last three months in different parts of the country. We all peace-loving people who believe in democracy and Constitution are shocked at the surge in hate campaign which will harm the plural and secular character of the country and also the development plans that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spelled out since he assumed office.

The country witnessed hateful political campaign during the Lok Sabha Elections 2014 but after a strong government with full majority was formed at the centre on 26^th May, it was widely hoped that the hate campaign would be reined in. But what happened was just shocking and disturbing. Hate campaigners appeared to have got more wings as they launched new series of false propaganda in the name of fabricated terms like ‘Love Jihad’, ‘communal’ rapes and ‘forced’ conversions. Much to the disappointment of the countrymen particularly minorities,leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Sangh Parivar including Yogi Adityanath, Ashok Singhal and Praveen Togadia continued making provocative, poisonous and hateful speeches and no action was taken against them.

It is true that Law and Order is a matter of state governments, but when a state fails in maintaining law and order and hate campaign creates huge communal tensions the central government cannot remain silent. Should we assume that you are happy and satisfied with the performance of state governments in tackling the issue of communalism and hate campaign? If not, then the central government must take actions against the people who are creating divisions in the society and they should be stopped from doing so further.

It is obligatory on both central and state governments to follow Raj Dharma to reassure safety, security, dignity and rights given by the Constitution of the country to every citizen, group and community including minorities.

As law-abiding organisation of the country, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind hopes the government would not allow anyone to take law into their hands.

Soon after assuming charge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken some good austerity measures and decisions – like asking ministers not to buy new cars and curtail foreign tours and announcement for toilet at every home and school and bank account for every citizen. He has also spelled out his vision of development for the country.

But we wonder if any developmental target can be achieved without maintaining peace and social unity. We strongly think that no country can progress and become powerful unless all of its communities feel secure about their life, properties, identity, language and culture and their participation in nation building and share in development are ensured.

A situation where Muslims, the largest minority of the country, are in constant fear and demonised and hate campaign creates distrust among different communities will not help the government to fulfil the obligation of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas and it will weaken our country and slow down its journey to progress and prosperity.

We hope that the government would do the needful to create a true feeling of trust, safety, security and dignity among all communities including minorities and to ensure equal opportunities for their full participation in nation building.

This democratically elected government is of all citizens whether they voted for or against it. It has big challenges ahead like poverty, inflation and corruption. These challenges can be met successfully only if we all are together and united, and peace, justice, mutual trust and harmony prevail in the country.

Despite differences of opinions on some issues, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind would always appreciate and support good initiatives of the government to keep the society and the nation on the principles laid down by the Constitution.

 

Sincerely Yours

Nusrat Ali

Secretary General

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind

New Delhi

10^th September 2014