PRESS RELEASE

7 May 2016

JIH Vice President blames government’s mismanagement for water scarcity

New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expresses great dismay and anguish at the scarcity of water and drought in various parts of the country. The common man is experiencing great difficulty in getting drinking water and the farmer is tormented by the lack of water required for irrigation. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind applauds the individuals and organizations that provided water to the needy. The JIH cadre too has been busy and is contributing its mite in providing water to the needy and drought affected. The Latur and Udgir districts of Maharashtra are receiving special attention for relief activities by Jamaat. These thoughts were shared by JIH Vice President Nusrat Ali in the monthly press conference at Jamaat headquarters in New Delhi.

In a reply to question from the media over the arrests of Muslim youth on charges of terrorism the JIH Vice President expressed his reservations and great apprehension at these indiscriminate arrests. Nusrat Ali said that it is now coming to light through various reports that security agencies are faking the evidence about explosive materials found in the possession of arrested Muslim youth. Hence a large number of the Muslim youth accused of terror charges are later being acquitted by the courts. JIH is working on two fronts regarding this issue. One it is offering legal aid to the accused and two it is supporting the families of those wrongfully incarcerated.

In the beginning of the press meet the Secretary General of JIH – Muhammad Salim Engineer said that the incompetence and the misguided policies of the government are largely to be blamed for this drought and acute scarcity of water. Jamaat demands that the government should immediately ban those industries that are causing water scarcity and water pollution. It is possible that the failure of the government to establish truth and justice eliminate oppression and uphold human rights is inviting the wrath and anger of God.

The Secretary General also spoke about the ban on alcohol, the ongoing assembly polls and the situation in Syria. He said that Jamaat believes that alcohol consumption has various harmful effects on society, the economy, on morality and health. Jamaat categorically rejects the excuse given by various State governments that banning alcohol would seriously compromise the revenue they earn by way of taxing the alcohol industry. Jamaat feels that the cost that the government has to bear in terms of trying to prevent the crimes committed under the influence of alcohol, the various medical and health expenses that are caused by various diseases due to alcoholism, the breakdown in the family system and the abundance of court cases and litigation because of alcohol, is far greater than the income accrued by the government by taxing the alcohol industry. In the larger public interest Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has selected 50 villages, where the demand and consumption of alcohol will be totally eliminated and they will be converted into ideal villages. Public awareness would be created for the same and government authorities at all levels would be apprised of this initiative.

Regarding the assembly elections Salim Engineer said that Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has always maintained its own policy regarding support and backing of candidates in elections. Jamaat supports those secular candidates with strong moral character, who possess a zeal for serving the country and who offer a strong candidature against the communal candidates. According to this policy JIH has announced support to 116 candidates in West Bengal of which 50 are from the TMC, 28 from the Left Front, 8 from Congress, 6 from SDPI, one independent and 23 from the Welfare Party of India. In Kerala and Tamil Nadu too, Jamaat will announce its support to candidates based on their performance and character.

Regarding the conflict in Syria the JIH Secretary General expressed great anguish and dismay at the steadily deteriorating situation there and condemns the entirely terrorist style military strategy being unleashed in the name of putting an end to terrorism. He said that thousands of people have lost their lives, of which a great number are innocent children, women and the aged. Lakhs of people have been forced to migrate to other countries leaving their homes, their wealth, possessions and belongings. Schools, hospitals and other civic amenities have to bear the brunt of these attacks. It is very surprising that these attacks are being made by the custodians of democracy with the aim to restore peace and stability in Syria. Equally perplexing is the criminal silence adopted by organizations and nations committed to the protection of peace and human rights such as the UN and especially the counties of the Middle East. Jamaat believes that the interference of the US and Russia in Syria is wrong and demands that the UN should play a positive role in restoring peace and removing all foreign forces out of Syria.

Issued by Media Department

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind