14 May 2024: In a resolute stance against recent electoral injustices, the Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Malik Moatasim Khan, has articulated strong condemnation of voter suppression targeting Muslims and marginalized communities in India.
Speaking to the media, Malik Moatasim Khan articulated, “Jamaat-e-Islami Hind vehemently condemns the distressing occurrences of voter suppression aimed at Muslims and other marginalized groups in the recent Indian elections. Media accounts have shed light on troubling incidents in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district, where inhabitants of several Muslim-concentrated villages recounted instances of unwarranted police intervention, resulting in injuries to scores of voters. Similarly, in both the Aliganj Assembly segment of the Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency and the Aonla Lok Sabha constituency, numerous eligible voters were reportedly obstructed from exercising their democratic right. Moreover, there are troubling reports of fraudulent voting in the Rasulabad Assembly segment of the Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency.”
Emphasizing the severity of the situation, Mr. Khan asserted, “The heavy-handed actions by law enforcement against innocent voters undermine the foundational democratic principle of citizens freely engaging in the electoral process. In a democracy, it is imperative that every individual, irrespective of their background or beliefs, is empowered to cast their vote without fear or hindrance. However, the incidents highlighted above underscore a disturbing trend of systematic targeting and disenfranchisement of Muslims and other marginalized communities.”
The Jamaat has urged the Election Commission of India “to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these incidents and promptly implement corrective measures to prevent their recurrence in future electoral phases.”
