– Md. Sami Ahmad
Patna: Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Bihar, organised a one-day seminar on social harmony here yesterday, but eyebrows were raised why only Muslim students and Muslim educational institutions were chosen for this programme.
A statement released by ATS and posted on Facebook by Bihar police claimed, “This initiative by ATS, Bihar, is a commendable step towards strengthening communal harmony, peace, and mutual brotherhood in society, which will further enhance the spirit of trust and cooperation between the public and the police.”
Intriguingly, only one section of the society was made participant in this event which reportedly aimed at strengthening communal harmony, peace, and mutual brotherhood in society. One participant Hazrat Syed Shah Shameemuddin Ahmad Munaimi, Sajjadanashin of Khanqah-e-Munaimia also raised this issue. According to Maulana Munaimi the authorities said that all sections of the society should have been included in this programme.
The ‘seminar’ was organised at the Urdu Bhawan of Bihar Urdu Academy. As part of the programme, an essay writing competition was held for students up to Class 12 on ‘Ilm ki Ahmiyat’ (The Importance of Knowledge) and “The Role of Youth in Nation-Building.” The 14 students who wrote the best essays were honoured by Rajiv Mishra, Deputy IG Police, Anti-Terrorism Squad, as a form of appreciation.
Thereafter, a discussion was organised on Social Harmony, in which importance of education, social harmony, and role of the police in changing social environment were deliberated upon.
According to the press note, DIG-ATS Rajiv Mishra said the role of the police was not limited to maintaining law and order but also included establishing communication with the public and resolving their problems.
He added, “Extraordinary efforts are not required from everyone for nation-building; rather, it is important that each individual performs their duties to the best of their ability in their respective fields. In the future, the ATS will organise programmes on a larger scale to promote social awareness and ensure greater participation from all sections of society.”
Renowned historian Prof. Imteyaz Ahmad, said that approximately 2,300 years ago, Emperor Ashoka held discussions on social harmony on the sacred land of Pataliputra. He elaborated, “This tradition continued in the medieval period through Sufi saints, and during the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi and Mazharul Haq carried forward this idea of social harmony through the Sadakat Ashram. This is an ongoing process that will promote an environment of peace, harmony, and trust in society.”
Hazrat Syed Shah Shameemuddin Ahmad Munaimi opined that the fundamental purpose of the establishment of all religions has been to struggle against evil. He added that students should remember that combating evil is not possible through evil but only through mutual love.
Maulana Syed Shah Mashhood Ahmad, Principal, Madrasa Islamia Shamsul Hoda, appreciated the ATS initiative, where senior police officers came to interact with children. He said this effort will play a significant role in establishing excellent role models for children and presenting a positive image of the police in their minds.
Izhar Yusuf, Principal, Muslim High School, while encouraging the students participating in the essay competition, said education was the medium through which good values, moral principles, discipline, and a sense of responsibility are developed in an individual, which form the foundation of character building.
Interestingly, the press does not mention the winners of the essay writing competition. According to Urdu Daily, Qaumi Tanzeem, 85 students participated in this essay competition. The first, second, and third prizes were won by girl students from Patna Muslim High School +2. Tamkanat Yusuf (Urdu) from Patna Muslim High School secured the first position, Roz (English) secured the second position, and Mahrukh Mumtaz (Hindi) secured the third position.
Additionally, 10 other students received consolation prizes. Among the prize winners, eight students were from Patna Muslim High School, and two from Madrasa Shamsul Hoda. The students who received consolation prizes include Abdul Qadir and Mohammad Mudassir (both from Madrasa Shamsul Hoda), and Mahvish Ashraf Ansari, Nazar Afnaan, Adiba Khanam, Saima Ansari, Abdul Wahid, Zoya Sabri, Afreen Wasim, and Mohammad Saeed (all from Patna Muslim High School).
DIG Rajeev Mishra of ATS, SP Neeraj Kumar Singh, along with Professor Imteyaz Ahmad, Maulana Shameem Munami, Maulana Mashhood Ahmad Qadri Nadvi, and Principal Izhar Yusuf of Patna Muslim High School distributed the prizes among the students.
