New Delhi: During a monthly press briefing at its headquarters here Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind expressed deep concern over recent incidents of violence, the defiance of Places of Worship Act, 1991, and the harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and social activists. JIH Vice President Malik Moatasim Khan addressed the media, emphasising the critical importance of implementing the Act to maintain peace and communal harmony.
Khan detailed the Act’s significance, noting that it was enacted to resolve disputes over religious places by maintaining their status as of August 15, 1947. He pointed out that even though the Babri Masjid verdict acknowledged this Act, recent court orders for surveys have disrupted peace and harmony. “The Judiciary, government, and society must ensure the enforcement of the Act in its entirety,” he said.
“Our former Chief Justice instead of stressing on the need to implement Places of Worship Act agreed that there is no harm in doing survey to ascertain the characters of religious place; the problem which has been raised due to it is a very serious issue,” he said highlighting the adverse consequences of such actions, including the recent unrest in Sambhal which claimed five innocent lives.
Khan expressed concern about the role of the judiciary in these issues, questioning the lower court’s decision to order a second survey in Sambhal despite the provisions of the Act. He stated, “The first survey passed without incident, and there was no need for another. The second survey, though mostly peaceful, saw provocative slogans by some individuals, leading to violence.” He also criticised the police’s response, alleging that they used private weapons during the unrest and failed to control the situation effectively. Furthermore, he condemned restrictions on visits by political leaders and civil society members, suggesting these measures aim to conceal the truth.
JIH Vice President Professor Mohammed Salim Engineer addressed the targeting of human rights defenders, including Nadeem Khan and AltNews co-founder Mohd Zubair. He criticised the authorities for filing cases against those seeking justice while ignoring hate speech and violence perpetrators. “This trend of curtailing dissent and democratic rights is alarming for democracy,” he averred.
Professor Salim pointed out procedural lapses in cases like Nadeem Khan’s, where charges were filed despite a lack of evidence. He noted that the court had granted Khan temporary relief until December 11 but described such actions as part of a broader trend to intimidate voices critical of the establishment.
He also urged the governments of Maharashtra and Jharkhand to adopt inclusive policies and bridge the societal gaps created during elections. “There should be no discrimination in implementing policies. Governments must work to heal divisions caused by political polarisation,” he said.
