A delegation of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), comprising Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer and National Secretaries I. Karimullah and Salman Ahmad, met journalists Shaheen Khan, Nafisa Khan and their family members in Delhi and expressed solidarity with them following their alleged assault and mistreatment by Delhi Police personnel.
During the meeting, the delegation expressed solidarity with the two journalists and appreciated their courage and determination in raising their voice firmly for justice and against wrongdoing. The journalists shared with the delegation their account of the incident and alleged that they were harassed and assaulted by police personnel without any clear reason or legal basis. They further alleged that the intensity of the assault increased after the police personnel became aware of their religious identity and that they belonged to the Muslim minority community.
Prof. Salim Engineer expressed serious concern over allegations of crimes and discriminatory treatment on the basis of religion. He particularly emphasised that registration of an FIR is a basic right of every citizen. If a person has a complaint against another person, the determination of guilt and punishment is ultimately a matter for the courts. However, at the very least, an FIR must be registered so that the matter can be investigated according to law. JIH demanded that an FIR be registered immediately, followed by an impartial investigation, and that appropriate legal action be taken against all persons found responsible. Prof. Salim Engineer also stressed the need to sensitise police personnel about their conduct towards citizens and called for comprehensive police reforms in the country. Police institutions must function with professionalism, restraint and respect for citizens’ dignity, while ensuring that no one is subjected to unjustified police excesses.
The JIH delegation assured Shaheen Khan, Nafisa Khan and their families of the organization’s full cooperation, support and solidarity in their pursuit of justice.
