New Delhi, June 22: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the premier nongovernmental organisation, is all set to launch a nationwide campaign to oppose marginalization of Muslims, restore democracy and peace and create an environment where diversity is respected.
The campaign which is in the planning stage, will bring together peace and democracy loving sections of society and will forcefully oppose the marginalization of Muslims, attacks on their life, honour and dignity and demolition of mosques and madrasas.
An action committee will help in implementing the decisions of the AIMPLB Executive Committee which met on Sunday. It was presided by Board President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani.
Addressing mediapersons on Monday at the Press Club of India in New Delhi, the AIMPLB National Spokesperson, Dr S.Q.R. Ilyas flagged growing incidents of lynching of Muslims, demolition drives against mosques and madrasas and bulldozer action against Muslim homes and localities. He expressed disappointment with all political parties including the Congress party. " The so called secular parties are only interested in votes.
The Congress has not taken any position on the Uniform Civil Code or targeting of Muslim homes or properties."
Dr Ilyas said that the Executive Committee of the AIMPLB expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the country. It has decided to prepare and publish a comprehensive document to highlight the deteriorating condition of the Muslim community, communal tension and violation of fundamental rights. " A climate of hatred, prejudice and communal tension is being systematically fostered across the country. The Executive Committee also regretted that despite the planned attacks on the life, property, honour, dignity, religion and faith of the Muslim community, secular political parties continue to maintain a criminal silence, as though Muslims have been reduced to nothing more than a vote bank."
The AIMLB National Spokesperson said that this campaign is likely to be launched around the end of July from New Delhi. " We may either launch the campaign from New Delhi or start simultaneously from all four corners of India and later converge in the national capital. We have not decided to include political parties but surely, all heads of Muslim organisations will join the campaign. The programme is being chalked out. Most probably, we will start by July end."
Dr Ilyas further said that the violation of the rights of India's second largest community is not merely the problem of one section of society as it impacts the democratic structure, harmony and development process of the entire country.
The EC expressed serious concern over the ongoing legislative attempts in some States, in the name of the Uniform Civil Code.
He further said that the Executive Committee declared that attempts to make Vande Mataram compulsory in schools and in government aided and recognised madarsas, constitutes a violation of fundamental rights " The EC stated in unequivocal terms that Vande Mataram is a shirk- laden song and some of its contents are contrary to the Muslim belief in Tawhid (the oneness of God) and it is not permissible in Islamic law for Muslims to recite it "
