Mumbai: The State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra, Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, has expressed support for the ongoing strike by the Qureshi community in Maharashtra.
In a statement today, he demanded that the government provide protection to the Qureshi community engaged in the meat trade.
Maulana Ilyas Khan further stated that the government must control communal elements to prevent them from spreading terror in the name of cow protection. He said it is often seen that in the name of “gau Raksha” (cow protection), Hindu extremist organisations such as Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad stop animal-transporting trucks and resort to violence, which often results in the deaths of Muslim traders.
Due to this violence and the government’s indifference, the Qureshi community has been compelled to go on strike to remind the government and administration of their constitutional duties. The Ameer of JIH Maharashtra said that if the government cannot solve the problems faced by those involved in the meat trade, it should immediately resign. The very purpose of a government is to resolve public issues and work for the comfort and welfare of the people.
Maulana Ilyas Khan pointed out that this government came to power with a promise to create 20 million jobs annually, but instead of generating employment, it is rendering millions jobless through its prejudiced policies and communal mindset.
He added that the Qureshi community’s strike is not only affecting traders associated with the meat business but is also impacting the state’s farmers. Farmers are seen bringing their cattle to markets for sale, but due to the strike, there are no buyers. The government had already weakened the farmers economically by banning the slaughter of cows or cow progeny, and now, due to the violence against buffalo traders by Bajrang Dal and VHP, and the resulting strike by the Qureshi community, farmers may suffer further economic burden, potentially leading to an increase in suicides. It should be noted that in remote villages, animal husbandry is an integral part of a farmer’s livelihood apart from agriculture.
Maulana said that the Qureshi community alleges that the government wants to snatch the meat trade from millions of people and hand it over to its capitalist allies. That is why it does not control the violent Hindutva groups – so that those involved in the meat business are forced to abandon their profession.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Maharashtra has demanded that the government resolve the Qureshi community’s issues and provide them with protection in the interest of farmers’ rights and the livelihood of millions.
