Urdu will be second official language in Mamata’s West Bengal

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

With an aim to strengthen her grip on Muslims, a must for a long inning, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee has started acting upon her poll promises concerning the minority community. In her first step towards the goal, Mamata on Thursday announced to accord Urdu the status of second official language.


Mamata, who came to power after uprooting the 34-year rule of communists, declared that Urdu would be given second official language status in the districts that have 10% or more Urdu-speaking people.



A campaign poster of Trinamool Congress candidate in Kolkata

It should be noted here that the Urdu speaking people have long demanded the status to the language but the Left Front regime failed to heed to the demand. In 2009 Lok Sabha elections as well as 2011 Assembly election, Mamata Banerjee included the demand in the election manifesto of her party Trinamool Congress and during the poll campaigns she promised that if her party came to power she would make Urdu second official language in areas with 10% or above Urdu speakers. The status will benefit the community in several ways.


Talking to TwoCircles.net, Ahmad Hassan Imran, Executive Editor of Urdu daily Azad Hind, said: “The step is most welcome as it will fulfill the long-standing demand. The announcement is very good news for Urdu-speaking people if it is transferred into practice. The Jyoti Basu government had also vowed in 1990 to grant Urdu second official language but it never happened. We are hopeful that Mamata will do the different and implement the announcement on the ground.”


On how the new status is going to benefit to Urdu speaking people, Imran, who is also editor of popular Bengali weekly Kalam, said: “If the government implements it properly it will benefit the Urdu speaking population in various aspects. For instance, they will be able to convey their message to government departments directly without hiring Bengali or English knowing people. Besides, the Urdu speaking people will be appointed as translators, clerks and typewriters in government offices that will surely end the financial problems of a number of families.” Moreover, Urdu teachers will be appointed in schools and also Urdu schools will be established in concerned areas, Imran told TCN over phone from Kolkata.


As far as Urdu newspapers are concerned, he said “They will also get benefits as they will get the government’s advertisement like dailies of other languages. Besides, the step will increase the interest about Urdu learning that will increase the readers of Urdu newspapers.”


Besides Urdu, Mamata announced that Hindi, Oriya, Nepali, Gurmukhi and Santhali languages will also be given the similar status in the areas where the speakers of these languages are 10% of the total population.

“A small amendment would be needed for the purpose. For that the drafts will be prepared soon and would be passed in coming Assembly session,” Mamata has been quoted as saying in media on 27th May.


Another Muslim pleasing announcement that Mamata, first woman CM of West Bengal, made on 26th May is that the word “Madrasa” will be restored to the name of Aliah University. The word was dropped by Left Front government when it gave the madrasa the status of a university in 2007.


West Bengal Madarsa Students Union has since been demanding the inclusion of the word ‘madarsa’ to Aliah University. The Madarsa was founded as Calcutta Madarsa in 1780. After more than 225 years, the madrasa was upgraded to Aliah University through an act which was passed in the state Assembly in 2007. The university started its activities in 2008.


To put pressure on the government, the Students Union of the university had also organized protest rallies and a section of students sat on hunger strike in 2010 but Left Government remained unmoved. It was Mamata who reached the students who were on fast on December 27, 2010 and assured them that after coming to power she would add ‘madarsa’ to the university’s name. After that the students called off the hunger strike.

Neyaz Ahmad appointed chairman of Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCicles.net,

Patna: Neyaz Ahmad, former Director General of Police (DGP), Jharkhand has been appointed chairman of the state’s Staff Selection Commission (SSC)—an agency responsible for the recruitment of subordinate services employees in the state.

The Personnel and Administrative Reforms department of the state issued a notification for Ahmad’s appointment last week. With his appointment, Mr. Ahmad has become the first regular chairman of the Commission, as no one was appointed for the post since the state was carved out from Bihar in 2000. He has taken charge from Commercial Taxes secretary, Alka Tiwari who was holding additional charge of the agency.



Neyaz Ahmad greeting the Governor of Jharkhand M.O.H. Farook

Ahmad, who retired as Jharkhand DGP in February this year, hails from Asthawan, a locality in Nalanda district of Bihar. He did graduation from Saint Stephen, New Delhi and cleared Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam in his first attempt in 1974.

He served different posts as IPS officer in the undivided Bihar. He was given the responsibility of Director General, Vigilance Bureau of the newly formed Jharkhand. While being on the post, he handled corruption cases against former chief minister, Madhu Koda and his former Cabinet colleagues, Enos Ekka, Hari Narayan Rai and Kamalesh Singh.

In January 2010, then Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren appointed him Director General of Police (DGP) of the state. He became the first Muslim chief of the state police. As the DGP his works got appreciation from people of both government and public classes. He took several steps successfully to curb the Naxal threat to the state.

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is responsible for making about 90 per cent of the total recruitments in the government jobs including constables, teachers and assistant grade staff for secretariat. The rest is done by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC).

Soon after taking the charge, Ahmad has been quoted as saying in media “It was huge challenge for the agency to streamline the recruitment process, which has been marred by irregularities. I will try to justify the role and expectations with which the government has appointed me.”

Is Ahmad’s appointment a ray of hope for Muslim candidates? “Of course, most Muslims complain that despite being talented they are discriminated in selection for jobs. So, I hope Mr. Neyaz will do justice with the candidates of all sections including Muslims and will select the candidates only on the basis of talent and qualification and not religions or castes,” said Mohammad Tanveer of Urdu daily Sangam (Jharkhand)reacting to the news of Ahmad’s appointment.

While welcoming the appointment of Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmad of United Milli Forum said that, “indeed he is an honest officer and hopefully he will reform the system of the Commission. But still we should not be optimistic that he is going to do anything special for Muslims because as DGP we did not see that he took any step to increase Muslim representation in Police.” he said.

“We should not forget that his appointment is an attempt by BJP to get Muslim’s sympathy. Obviously, he will follow the government’s guidance while selecting the candidates and everyone knows the agenda of BJP about Muslims,” he added.

Controversy over Prophet’s picture and Muslims

By Manzar Bilal,


Patna: The issue of publishing Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) imaginary picture once again came to light recently as a Delhi based magazine Diamond Comics published Prophet’s image in its special issue, inviting anger of Muslims who unanimously condemned it. The Muslim Students Organization of India (MSO) organized a protest rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 17th May 2011 demanding stringent action against the publisher.

Despite the fact that the real picture of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is not available and drawing of any kind of image is not permissible in Islam, the tendency to print and publish fake image of Prophet (PBUH) is on rise in the country which has been hurting the religious sentiment of the Muslim community.

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Advocate Shahnawaz Warsi, National Secretary of MSO, said: “Diamond Comics in its special issue published Prophet’s image with an ordinary article on him. When we contacted the publisher, he said that the magazine was published in 2008 and not now. He offered apology terming it a mistake. But after enquiry we came to know that he was lying as we found the same magazine published in 2011 which means the magazine has been published continuously. So, we sent him a legal notice. Replying to the notice he passed the same lie that he did earlier.”


MSO members protesting against Diamond Comics for publishing Prophet’s image

Adv. Warsi said that then two FIRs have been lodged against publisher of Diamond Comics—one in Delhi and second in Saharanpur, UP.

“Meanwhile, we organized a dharna at Jantar Mantar and our delegation met Delhi Chief Minister Shila Dixit and Prime Minister Mamnmohn Singh and informed them about the matter. They expressed concern and dismay at the incident. The Delhi CM assured us of action against the publisher. The legal process of the case is going on and we are sure the publisher will be arrested” he added.

About the demands, he said: “We want public apology from him through mainstream media and immediate ban on publishing of the controversial magazine.”

Such incident is condemnable

Maulana Waris Mazhari, editor of monthly Tarjuman Dar ul-Uloom, said that such activities are not only condemnable from Islamic prospective but also a crime according to Indian as well as International laws because it is an attempt to hurt religious sentiment of a community.

“It is a severe crime and government must take action promptly against those who are involved in such filthy activities whenever it takes place. Because it may disturb the peaceful environment of the country as it is a matter of religious sentiment” said Maulana Abdul Hamid Nomani, Secretary of Jamiat Ulema-I-Hind.

Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, Chairman of Bihar Haj Committee and General Secretary of Imarat Shariah, said: “Such things should be banned according to law and offender of the crime must be punished by government because it puts the communal harmony on risk which cannot be acceptable.”

While echoing Maulana Anisur Rahman’s views, Rehan Ghani, Editor of Patna-based Urdu daily Pindar, said: “We condemn the publishing of Prophet’s image in any form and demand from publisher apology and clarification.”

Why is it repeated time and again?

It should be noted here that it is not for the first time when the controversy over Prophet’s picture sparked the protests. In 2007, a book written by G Parthasarthy and published by Delhi's publisher Vijay Goel created a controversy for publishing the Picture of Prophet.

In 2009, a book titled, 'Udayimaan Bhartiya Samaj Mein Shikshak' (Teachers in Emerging India), earned anger from political class as well as Muslims for carrying a picture of Prophet Mohammed. The book was written by Yuvraj Dutt, a former faculty member at a post-graduate college in Lakhimpur Kheri.

Similarly, in 2010, New Jyothi Publications of Kerala published a book entitled ‘Stepping Stones’ with Prophet’s Picture that made the state tense.

The list of such incidents is long. Though all the above mentioned books were banned by the concerned governments later, the question is: why it is repeated time and again?

“It is being done time to time for two reasons. One is to get cheap publicity through media and second is to provoke Muslims so they would do anything that will malign the image of Islam and Muslims. Otherwise, they know well that it is wrong deed” opined Waris Mazhari.

Maulana Anisur Rahman and Rehan Ghani also pointed out the same reason and said that it is part of conspiracy against Muslims to show them aggressive and intolerant. So, Muslims need to be careful.

“Muslims are most emotional compared to others. So, such incident is a game plan to provoke them for unwanted deeds” Rehan Ghani added.



While Maulana Abdul Hamid Nomani said that it is an attempt to divert attention of Muslims from the necessary issues related to the community in the country. “You must have seen that whenever Muslims started to focus on their necessary issues, then unnecessary issues have been raised and made the topic of discussion only to divert their attention” he pointed out.

How Muslim should counter such incident?

All the Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals that TCN talked to on the topic were of the opinion that Muslims should counter such incident legally and advised them not to react emotionally which can provide chance for anti-Muslim forces to defame the Muslim community.

“We must protest against the publication of Prophet’s image because silence may encourage publisher but it should be within the law. But I am sorry to say that a section among Muslims reacts to such incidents adopting wrong ways that is incorrect. We have witnessed several such incidents in the past that were done by emotional people but media criticized whole Muslim community and Islam” said Maulana Waris Mazhari.

Rehan Ghani said that whenever such incident happens first of all Muslims should approach the publisher as sometimes it happens due to lack of knowledge.

“The first thing that should be done is to approach publisher. If he did that due to lack of knowledge, we should make him understand about the fact that it is unacceptable according to Islam and ask him not to repeat the same in the future. And if he did it knowingly then also we should try to convince the fact. In case of insistence on the act, we should use the weapon of law against him. I think if we adopt this way, most of the cases will be solved easily without any violence” he said.

“It is democratic country where we have right to go court against those who hurt our religious sentiment. But we must be cautious and must not take law and order in our hand. Otherwise, it will strengthen the people who are making all efforts to project Muslims as terrorists and aggressive” said Maulana Abdul Hamid Nomani.

While Maulana Anisur Rahman said that to counter such incident Muslims should use legal courses as well as political pressure to make sure that such incident would not be repeated in the future by the same person/company or anyone else.

Muslim women call for codification of personal laws

By Manzar Bilal

Patna: One of the prominent organizations working for the rights and empowerment of Muslim women, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), has called for the codification of personal laws. “There are many countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arab, Yemen, Jordan and Malaysia wherein Muslim personal laws have been codified but India which has a large number of Muslims is still behind in this regard,” said Naish Hasan, one of the founders of BMMA. She was speaking at a round-table discussion organized by BMMA on May 7 at Gandhi Sangharalay here in Patna.


“It’s a fact Muslims are in bad condition in the country but it is also true that Muslims women are worst compared to others. It is only because the rights that Islam has given to women are not being implemented in the society. So, we want codification of personal laws on the basis of Quran and other authentic sources of Islamic Shariah,” Hasan demanded.



Noor Jehan speaking at the program

Speaking on the occasion, Noor Jehan, another founder member of BMMA, said: “People are misusing the provision of divorce and destroying women’s life. There must be mutual talks before divorce as it is before marriage. Similarly, polygamy is allowed in Islam but Quran has clearly mentioned several conditions for that. But people are using it for their sexual desire.”



“The age of marriage for Muslim girls should be codified as in various cases they are married in minor age. Islam has instructed to seek girls’ permission for marriage but it is not practiced in the society. Mostly meager amount of meher is fixed. That too is something women never get in their lifetime. Islam has declared mehr-e-moajjal nikah) as the best meher. The amount of meher should be fixed keeping the income of husband and at least it should be income of his one year,” Noor Jehan added.



Noor Jehan putting her words while Naish Hasan looks on

Making a very important point Noor Jehan said, there is an urgent need to research personal laws on the basis of Quran and Hadith in women’s perspective. “Researchers and scholars of Islam, who have been mostly men, approach various issues related to women from men’s perspective. The need of the hour is to rethink that approach,” she added.


“We call upon Islamic scholars, Muslim leaders and dignitaries to come out and help us in preparing a draft bill for codification of personal laws that will be submitted to the law ministry,” Jehan appealed.




View of audience

BMMA was established in 2007 by a group of Muslim women. Besides other issues, it has been demanding for the codification of Muslim personal laws. The program was to intensify the demand and to create awareness among Muslim women of the state.

A true follower of religion cannot spread hatred: Swami Harinarayanand

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: In an effort to bring the people of different religions together and remove the misunderstandings against each other, Patna based Islamic Dawah and Research Foundation (IDRF) organized a program on May 1 at Anjuman Islamia Hall in Patna.

Speaking on the occasion, Dharamacharya Swami Harinarayanand, General Secretary, Bharat Sadhu Samaj, said: “The goodness of people lies in establishing justice, extending helping hands towards needy irrespective of their religions, caste and creed. The good character and morality make people big in the eye of God as well as human beings” he added.


Swami Harinarayanand speaking while Acharya Shri Sudarshan ji Maharaj (in green dress) on his right

He said that every religion commanded its followers to protect and respect humanity but some people especially politicians are using religion for wrong purpose to avail their own benefits. “These mischief mongers should remember that their power and posts will not remain always with them as they have to leave this world one day. Therefore, they should work for the betterment of humanity and not for destroying it” he said.

In his lecture on ‘Similarity between Islam and Hinduism’ Engineer Khurshid Imam from Bangalore said: “The main reason for misconceptions about each other is that we do not try to understand each other, we do not read the original religious sources of each other. In this context such interfaith program is very important”.

He said that there are many things that are similar in both Islam and Hinduism. To prove his claim, he gave various examples with the reference of verses from the scriptures. “We need to read religious scripture of both the religions then we would find similarity in various aspects. For example, Quran says that there is no God but Allah. The same message is given in original Vedas and Bible but most of the people do not know because they did not read it. Similarly, Quran asked human beings to worship Allah alone. The same commandment is available in Vedas and Bible” Khurshid Imam said.


Audience


“A religion shows a healthy way of life which brings people close to God. When human beings surrender themselves completely then he became a true follower of religion” said Acharya Shri Sudarshan ji Maharaj from Gurgaon.

Commenting on prayer system in Islam he said: “Today, people are adopting yoga for good health but Muslims were taught to offer prayer hundreds of years ago. One who offers prayers five times a day will never need yoga to maintain his health.”

Emphasizing on continuous interfaith dialogue he said that we all need to come on one platform to understand each other and establish peaceful society.

Muslim League demands dismissal of Narendra Modi

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: The Indian Union Muslim League has demanded Union Government to dismiss immediately Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of IPS and IAS officers’ allegations that he played key role in the killing of thousands of Muslims in 2002 infamous Gujarat riot by asking senior police officers to let Hindu mobs vent their anger against Muslims.

“We demand from Central Government to dismiss Modi immediately and arrest him for killing thousands of Muslims in 2002 Gujarat riot. I think after so many evidences came to the light against him, no reasons left to let him to be on the post” said Prof. Dr. Basir Ahmed Khan, National President of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) while talking to TCN over phone.

Criticizing Central Government for not taking action against Modi he said: “Modi would have been behind bar long ago, if Central Government has taken action but it always escaped the issue saying court can take decision on the matter. But it is an unacceptable excuse because Centre has power to dismiss the state government if it fails to maintain law and order in the state. Is there any doubt that Modi government failed to protect its citizens?” he asked.

“In my opinion, Congress did not act against Modi and always has soft corner for him because it has been using him for getting votes of Muslims. When elections come it creates fear of Modi among Muslims and asks votes to stop him from the top post. Therefore, it does not want bury the issue by taking action against Modi” he alleged.

Dr. Basir said that there are same reasons behind banning SIMI without adequate proofs and letting free RSS, Ram Sena and Abhinav Bharat despite plenty of evidences are available against them.

“Before coming to power, Congress promised to take action against Modi but it did not fulfill it till today. Congress makes new statements time to time on sensitive issues through Digvijay Singh but when it comes to action it fails” he added.

Notably, Senior IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt revealed in his affidavit to Supreme Court that at a special meeting on 27th Feb. 2002 Modi asked top police officers of the state to let the rioting mobs vent their anger to teach Muslims a lesson.

While suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma has alleged that during 2002 anti-Muslim riots, an official of chief minister’s office (CMO) approached him to ask his brother Kuldeep Sharma, who was Inspector General of Police, not to protect Muslims.

At the time of riot Pradeep Sharma was municipal commissioner of Jamnagar while his brother Kuldeep Sharma was Inspector General of Police of Ahmedabad Range.

Thousands of Muslims rendered homeless in Ranchi

By Manzar Bilal, TwoCircles.net,

Patna: Thousands of poor slum-dwellers have been rendered homeless in Ranchi after the BJP-led Jharkhand government partially and selectively acted on the state High Court order to remove illegal constructions. The Jharkhand High Court had issued order to remove all illegal constructions but the state government applied it only on slums where the poor live while leaving untouched the rich and affluent who are occupying illegal lands.


Government ignored rehabilitation order

Most importantly, the court had instructed the government to make sure proper rehabilitation/resettlement of the affected people prior to removing the encroachments but the administration completely ignored this part of the order and made thousands of people homeless.


The Muslim-dominated Islam Nagar slum colony of the state capital was worst affected among the areas that came under the anti-encroachment drive. On April 5 when the residents of Islam Nagar saw bulldozers razing their houses to dust, they protested against it only inviting the wrath of the police that promptly opened fire killing two of the protestors.



The reaction

The matter has put the state on boil as several organizations have joined hands and floated an umbrella outfit, Jharkhand Bachao Nagarik Abhiyan to stand up against the inhuman act of the government.

Several politicians including BJP Ranchi MLA and Assembly Speaker CP Singh, former BJP MLA from Jamshedpur Sarju Rai, former Jharkhand chief minister Babulal Marandi and a number of Congress leaders including Ranchi MP Subodh Kant Sahay staged sit-in in the capital demanding suspension of the drive and rehabilitation of the affected people first.


To whom land belongs?

“The 90% population of Islam Nagar were Muslims and 10% are adivasis. The anti-encroachment drive has affected 25 thousand people of the colony while almost 1800 houses were razed so far. The way the government opted was totally inhuman” said Mohd Rizwan of United Milli Forum while talking to TCN from Ranchi.

“Though the land of Islam Nagar colony belongs to Polytechnic Engineering College, in 1966 after a riot erupted in Ranchi the government rehabilitated the affected people here. Since then they had been living there with all the legal facilities such as electricity, water and ration and they were also using their rights to vote in all elections. But today the government has forced them to live under the open sky without any alternative” he added.

Mr. Tanweer of Sangam Urdu daily who was present when anti-encroachment drive was going on in Islam Nagar said: “The police did not care of sentiment of those who were losing their houses and things they owned after hard works. The Police opened fire at these poor in which two lost lives while at least 10 got injured who are still in hospital. But shamelessly the state government did not do anything for the victims.”


Why only slums came under order?

“There are hundreds of acres land in the state that are illegally occupied, but the government applied the order only for those who are mostly daily wagers that too without rehabilitation” Tanweer added.

He said that displaced people are in sorry condition. “They lost everything. They do not have anything to eat. The Muslim organizations such as Imarat Shariah and Jamaat-e-Islami are providing relief packages to victims and several individuals also came out to help them but no relief was given by government” he told.


Muslim organizations demand compensation, rehabilitation

It should be mentioned here that two days back a delegation comprising representatives of different organizations led by Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, General Secretary of Imarat Shariah, submitted a memorandum to Jharkhand governor with several demands.

“We demanded that the residents of Islam Nagar should be rehabilitated at the same site where they had been living for more than 40 years. We also demanded Rs.10 lakh as compensation for the families of two persons each who died in police firing on April 5” said Dr. Hassan Raza, state President of Jamaat-e-Islami, who was part of the delegation.


Court ordered rehabilitation of displaced

Meanwhile, the Jharkhand High Court on 19th April has ordered Jharkhand government to allot land at concessional rates to the residents of Islam Nagar.


The division bench of Chief Justice Bhagawati Prasad and Justice P C Tatia directed the government that those affected people who were living on encroached land for over 20 years should be allotted a piece of land at concessional rate and they will pay for it in instalments. But they have to submit valid proof such as voter identity card or ration card to claim the land.

It will be interesting to see if the government rehabilitates the victims following the court order or will remain inactive in this regard as earlier.


[Photo by www.newzfirst.com]

Time to stand up to resolve our problems: Inamdar

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: There have been lots of meetings to know about our problems. It is time to stand up to think that now we can solve our problems. When we start work, we will get confidence and then we will move on toward success. We should think how to implement our own agenda but unfortunately we expect that from government. These views were expressed by eminent educationist from Pune, Mr P.A. Inamdar.

He was speaking at a program entitled Talim and Talim Ki Tanzeem organized by Rahmani Foundation of Munger at Haj Bhawan here on 27th March.



P.A. Inamdar


Speaking on the topic, Inamdar said RTE act has changed the situation of the country. “We should not spend our money on establishment of new schools because it has become the responsibility of government through RTE Act. Yes that money we should spend on education and not on building of schools because education has become business, and so, our children need huge money to pay fees for higher education,” he said.

“We must learn computer and technology because it is the need of our time, otherwise we will remain behind everyone. We are giving computer education to poor children of slums in Pune. We are running 15 centers for the purpose,” he said.



L-R: Ajmal Farid, P.A. Inamdar, Ahmad Ashfaq Kareem, Dr Lutfur Rahman, Shafi Mashhadi & Manzar Jameel


A huge amount of government for minority will come in near future, so have we any plan to receive that amount for betterment of Muslims? One person in every district of state can change the picture, he said and promised to work for the Muslims in Bihar but urged to work as ‘the thing that is better for our own children that is for the community also.’ We need quality to rule the world and not majority as we know that we ruled the country when we were in little number, he added.

Addressing the audience, Prof. Dr Lutfur Rahman said that a community needs to get excellence in education to get honor and power in the world. “But today we are worst in education so how can we progress?” said former MLA and noted Urdu Journalist Rahman.



Maulana Wali Rahmani and others



There are many Muslims who are wealthy. If each of them takes responsibility to afford education of one child then picture will be quite different. Similarly, those who do not have wealth but have knowledge they can play good role by following the ‘Each one, Teach one’ principle.

Ajmal Farid, Editor, Patna Urdu daily Qaumi Tanzeem said that Islam is religion which gave much importance to education. This is evident from the first wahi (revelation to Prophet). “Till Muslims were taking this message seriously they were in the front at every level, but now Muslims are lagging behind only due to ignoring the message.”



Audience


Ex- IAS Shafi Mashhadi said that Muslims are 15 million in the state of Bihar but out of them only 40% Muslims are literate the rest are illiterate, and only 20% Muslim women in the state are literate.

In Bihar there are only few Muslim NGOs that are working for Muslim welfare. So, need to establish sincere NGOs because we know that government are implementing welfare schemes through NGOs, he said.



Audience


Muslims intellectuals and elites are really culprits for this sorry condition of the community because they did not perform their responsibilities in this regard, he averred.

The program was presided over by Ahmad Ashfaq Kareem while Maulana Wali Rahmani was the patron of the program.

Book terms Iqbal, Sir Syed ‘communal’; journalists want ban

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: The All India Urdu Journalists Forum organized today (27 March) a protest dharna at Kargil Chowk here in Bihar capital city of Patna demanding ban on the ‘controversial book’ “Adhunik Bharat Mein Samajik Parivartan (Social Change in Modern India)” in which its author J P Singh, director, Higher Education, Bihar, has allegedly described Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Dr. Allama Iqbal as communal and separatist leaders of Muslim community.



The Protestors demanded, removal of the author of the book from his post and action against him alleging that because of ‘wrong portrayal’ of two towering Muslim personalities, he has hurt the sentiments of the community and has tried to disturb the communal harmony of the peaceful state of Bihar.



Ashraf Asthanvi showing book containing remarks against Sir Syed and Iqbal


Ashraf Asthanvi, senior Urdu journalist and president of All India Urdu Journalists Forum said:“We are here to demand immediate ban on the book and action against author because he alleged two patriotic Muslim leaders without any proof which is intolerable.”





Showing the controversial text of the book Mr. Asthanvi said: “See how a communal minded author alleged our great leaders as communal. How great Iqbal, who gave message of communal harmony by his verse “Mazhab Nahi Sikhata Apas main Ber Rakhna, (religion doesn’t advocate religious enmity)”, can be communal and how Sir Syed, who gave precious gift to India in the shape of AMU, can be separatist?” he asked.



Protest demanding ban on book containing remarks against Sir Syed and Iqbal


“We have not only raised the issue through newspapers but also wrote several letters to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking ban on the book and sacking of the author but all these failed to draw CM’s attention towards such sensitive issue” he said.

The day the book got highlighted, Muslim leaders protested against the book. The issue was also raised in the “Legislative Assembly and Council by RJD leaders” demanding its ban but so far the government has largely been silent on this issue.

Later, protesters met Governor of Bihar and handed over memorandum to him seeking his intervene in the matter. They also planned to approach the Patna High Court if required.


[Photos and video shot by Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net]

First time in Bihar: Muslims are Opposition Leader both in Assembly & Council

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: With reinstatement of Prof. Ghulam Ghaus as Opposition Leader of Bihar Legislative Council (Upper House) recently, a new history was written in the state: It is the first time when the post of Opposition Leader in both Houses of Bihar legislature is being held by Muslims. Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who also comes from Ghaus’s party RJD, is Opposition Leader in Bihar Legislative Assembly.

Former state Minister and RJD MLA Siddiqui is heading Opposition in Assembly while Ghulam Ghaus, who has served as Opposition Leader in the Council from 2005 to 2010, has started his new inning of the same post.

Abdul Bari Siddiqui

Though RJD has only 22 members in the current Assembly, Abdul Bari Siddiqui is executing the job of a strong and effective Opposition Leader which made the RJD presence felt in the House, and in the state. Besides using his own chances to quiz the government on several issues, he does not miss the opportunities of sub-question in the House. Interestingly, he does not raise the issue verbally and lightly, rather he argues equipped with facts and documents; therefore he made government speechless several times.



Abdul Bari Siddiqui


It is said that after many years Bihar Assembly has got strong Opposition Leader in the form of Mr. Siddiqui. Even Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar has admitted that Mr. Siddiqui does not leave any stone unturned to attack on the government.

Abdul Bari Siddiqui, who was the part of Jayaprakash Narayan’s movement in the 1970s, is a close friend of and loyal to RJD Chief Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav. He is among big faces of RJD as well as Muslim leaders in the state.

He represented Bahera constituency in Darbhanga district thrice (1995 to 2010) and in 2010 Assembly Election he won from Alinagar constituency in the same district. Lalu Prasad fielded Mr. Siddiqui as party candidate of Madhubani constituency in 2009 Lok Sabha Election against Dr. Shakeel Ahmad of Congress and Hukum Deo Narayan Yadav of BJP. Though he lost to Hukum Deo with a margin of 4000 votes, he proved his popularity by pushing Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, who won the seat two times, at No. 3.

The 63-year-old Mr. Siddiqui held various portfolios in Lalu-Rabri regime since 1995 to 2005. Besides, he also served as Bihar president of RJD for three consecutive terms.

In 2010 Assembly Election RJD faced embarrassing defeat by getting only 22 seats out of 243. Many big RJD leaders lost their seats including former Opposition Leader Rabri Devi and her deputy Shakeel Ahmad Khan, but Mr. Siddiqui won and thus he was given the responsibility of Opposition Leader which he is carrying on successfully and effectively.

Prof. Ghulam Ghaus

On the other hand Prof. Ghulam Ghaus, who is nephew of late freedom fighter and ex- Minister and Speaker of Bihar Assembly Mr. Ghulam Sarwar, also did well in his job as Opposition Leader in Legislative Council in his first term.



Prof. Ghulam Ghaus


Three-time MLC Mr. Ghaus faced some difficulties to retain the post for the second term as the ruling alliance of JDU-BJP was not willing to accept him as Opposition Leader. Before Bihar Assembly Elections in Oct-Nov 2010, RJD recommended his name for the post but chairman of the Bihar Legislative Council, Tara Kant Jha put the issue on hold until elections were over. But even several months after the elections and despite written application by Abdul Bari Siddiqui to the chairman demanding appointment of Mr. Ghulam Ghaus as Opposition Leader it did not happen.

However, as Bihar Legislative Council was going to organize centenary celebration on 22 March 2011, which was attended by President Pratibha Singh Patil, Mr. Tara Kant Jha on 18 March announced that RJD member, Ghulam Ghaus, has been made Leader of the Opposition in the House.

[Photo: viewpatna]

Dirty politics behind spreading communalism in country: Ram Puniyani

By Manzar Bilal

Patna: “Dirty politics has played key role in spreading hatred among the communities who have been living together in the country for centuries. Though all the religions teach peace, harmony and brotherhood, politicians used the religious sentiments to spread communalism for their own benefits, and British government was founder of that mischief” said eminent scholar, writer and social activist Prof. Ram Puniyani.

He was delivering a lecture on “Religious tolerance for inter-community harmony” organized by the Bihar chapter of The Temple of Understanding (An Inter-Faith Global Association) here at Government Urdu Library in Patna on 13thMarch 2011.



Prof Ram Puniyani is speaking while (R-L) Ajmal Farid, Editor,Urdu daily Qaumi Tanzeem and Sachitanand Sinha,President of Temple of Understanding on the stage


Prof Puniyani said that today’s politics means to gain benefits for some selected people by sidelining the majority of the people while religion means to think about all the members of the society. Though there is contrast between the two things, politicians with the help of some people of the society mixed them up.

He stressed the fact that with exception of few mischief mongers majority of the Indians whether Muslims or Hindus or any other community are peace-loving otherwise country would have been destroyed so far.


British Govt. is founder of communal hatred

These politicians adopted the theory of British government ‘divide and rule’ to serve their own purposes. It is true that world’s biggest movements for freedom succeed in India by the virtue of united struggle of all the Indians irrespective of their religions, castes and creeds. But it is also a fact that after Muslims and Hindus fought together against British Government in 1857giving sleepless nights to them, the English played various tricks to divide the Indians on the lines of religions and castes.

The Babarnama, which was originally written in Persian language, was translated by a British lady. In the book where Babri Masjid was mentioned she put a footnote saying that perhaps there Ram was born. It was the foundation stone of Babri Masjid-Ram temple dispute which continues till today. None has proof that it was birthplace of Ram, said Prof Ram Puniyani.

The Britons propagated among Hindus that Mahmood Ghaznawi attacked Somnath Mandir for religious purpose and thus humiliated the Hindu religion. While the same British misled Muslims that the Mahmood Ghaznawi was the real ideal and hero for them as he strived against idol-worship.



L-R: Ajmal Farid,Editor Urdu daily Qaumi Tanzim, Prof.Ram Puniyani and I.C. Kumar, Member of Temple of Understanding


In an attempt to twist the factual history, British Government propagated that Islam was spread in India by force. While the fact is that people attracted towards Islam because of its principle of social justice. People of lower castes were not allowed to entre mandirs and they were denied of any status in the society. On the contrary, at dargahs and mazars everyone was allowed be they Muslims or non-Muslims. This gave chance to lower castes Hindus to interact with Sufi saints and learn about Islam.


Neither Muslim nor Hindu emperors fought for religion

No emperors fought for their religions but their fights were totally for power (iqtidar) or wealth. For instance, Mahmood Ghaznawi attacked on Somnath Mandir for wealth because if he wanted to humiliate idols or spread Islam why he did not do that by attacking thousands of mandirs in his way from Ghaznah to India and why he demolished a mosque in Multan after the local ruler stopped him to enter the city. More importantly, 30% of Mahmood’s troops were Hindus and out of total 12 commanders 5 were Hindus.

Babar that is a hateful name today among Hindus came to India on the call of a Hindu ruler Rana Sanga who sought help from him in the war against a Muslim emperor Ibrahim Lodhi.

Aurangzeb who is known as anti-Hindus emperor attacked Shivaji when he received helping call from Hindu businessmen of Surat who were looted time and again by Shivaji’s troops. It is also notable that 34% of Aurangzeb’s troops were Hindus.

Similarly, the fight between Akbar and Rana Pratap Singh was for power. Because neither Akbar nor Rana Pratap Singh came to battleground but Hakim Khan came as chief commander of Rana Pratap Singh and Man Singh along with Shahzada Saleem came as the chief commander of Akbar.

These historical facts are enough to prove that Muslim and Hindu emperors and rulers fought but not for religions otherwise their troops never consisted of people of other religions. But British Govt. omitted the factual history from the minds of people and gave them communal and religious colours.


Hindu rulers too demolished mandirs

It might be true that some Muslim rulers demolished some mandirs but it was not for the religious purpose as the history tells that Hindu rulers too demolished mandirs after overcoming other rulers. Muslims came to India in 6th century while many incidents took place before that in which Hindu rulers demolished mandirs of other rulers, Prof Puniyani said.



Audience


Challenges and steps ahead

After tireless efforts and sacrifice our country got freedom but before leaving the country British sowed the seed of communalism and hatred that is creating problems for us today and we have paid much price for that.

“We need to come together to fight against those who are damaging communal harmony and spreading poison of hatred among the communities. We need to read and understand the real and true history and spread the same among the people specially youths who are the future of the country. We need to show the unity to defeat the communal forces as we did for the freedom struggle,” Prof Puniyani urged while ending his lecture.

Muslim MPs oppose Haj subsidy, want Haj Ministry

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: Muslim Members of Parliament cutting across party affiliation have strongly advocated withdrawal of Haj subsidy, and to ensure better facilities for Hajis and streamline bureaucratic procedure they have demanded constitution of a separate Haj Ministry. The MPs also demanded long-term agreement with airlines for better facilities on low fares.

To discuss ways to provide better facilities to Haj pilgrims of the country, Union Minister for External Affairs S M Krishna called a meeting of Muslim MPs on March 7 in New Delhi where they raised several issues related to Haj operation.

Besides withdrawal of subsidy, the MPs also demanded the Minister to take steps to ensure better accommodation facilities for the pilgrims at Saudi Arabia and grant permanent passports to all of them instead of issuing temporary passports to those who do not have permanent.

The MPs also urged the Minister to explore the option beyond Air India for the journey as it provides old aircrafts without basic facilities.

It is a fact that despite paying good amount of money, Indian Haj pilgrims face lots of problems every year. They are not provided with better travel facilities because of that they have to spend several hours at airports. Their accommodations are also arranged at far distance of pilgrimage sites in Saudi Arabia and they have to walk several kilometres in scorching heat. Besides, their belongings are not sent with them and sometimes it took a year for that to reach them and sometimes they never receive their luggage.

The Haj subsidy has been an instrument for the government to cover up its shortcomings and problems of Haj pilgrims and also it has been an eye-sore for communal forces who always call it an appeasement of Muslims. While the fact is that private travel agencies are providing better services on the same amount that Hajis pay to Haj Committee. In such circumstances, the demand for withdrawal of subsidy seems right.

"We do not need subsidy. It is like an alm which we do not need. A long-term policy should be evolved where subsidy can be withdrawn. We can set up a corporation on the lines of one in Malaysia to handle Haj travel. The powers of the corporation should be centralized and not divided as is the case now" Rajya Sabha MP and Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind General Secretary Mahmood Madani said after the meeting.

Lok Sabha MP Syed Shahnawaz Hussain of BJP echoed Madani: “Subsidy has no meaning as the middlemen make profit out of it instead of the common man who goes to perform Haj”.

One of the main reasons for poor Haj service is that it is operated by three Ministries—External Affairs Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry, Minority Affairs Ministry—and Haj Committee of India. The officials of all these departments do not admit their faults for the problems of the Hajis, therefore, they do not make plan to avoid that mistake in future. Every department puts blame on other and thus escapes accountability.

Keeping all these problems in mind, MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal demanded the government to create an independent Haj ministry to handle the Haj operation in better way.

“I would like to reiterate my demand for creation of an independent Haj & Wakf Ministry. I have written to Hon’ble Prime Minister and Chairperson UPA, Ms. Sonia Gandhi demanding the same. I solicit the support of this August gathering and also Hon’ble Minister for an Independent Haj & Wakf Ministry for efficient management of the one of the five pillars of the faith of the 15 crores Muslims of India” Ajmal said in his letter to S M Krishna. He could not attend the meeting.

Maulana Ajmal also pointed out that the pilgrims of Assam and other North East states face more problems due to communication gap and demanded the increase of the volunteers and officials especially doctors proportionate to the numbers of pilgrims in case of Assam and North East states.

Besides, he demanded timely providing of passports to aspirants, making sure journey through aircrafts equipped with good facilities, providing correct details of journey to pilgrims and initiative to stop rude behavior of crews during the journey.

Bihar Budget: Muslims not happy with meager allocation

By Manzar Bilali,


Patna: The Bihar Budget for fiscal year 2011-12 presented on 25th Feb. has allocation of Rs. 90 crore for the schemes meant for the welfare of Minorities. The budget also introduced two new schemes for minority welfare --‘Chief Minister Educational Loan Scheme for Minority Students’ and Chief Minister Employment Loan Scheme for Minority Youth.’

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who is also Finance Minister, yesterday presented the state annual budget of Rs 65,325.87 crore with the deficit of Rs. 13.03 crore for financial year 2011-12 in the Assembly.



Besides new schemes, the amount allocated for Minority will be spent in different schemes like scholarships for Minority students, intensification development project in Minority concentration districts, fencing graveyards, establishment of more educational centres in Minority concentration areas and protection of Waqf properties.

But the Muslims are not happy with the meager amount allocated for minorities.

In his reaction Nayyer Fatami, Director of Alkhair Charitable Trust, termed it “a joke done with Muslims by the state government” as the amount is far less compared to their population in the state. “In Rs 65,325.87 crore state budget only Rs. 90 crore for Minority has no meaning. Nothing significant can be done with this amount. It is insufficient and unjustified amount because the amount stands not even one percent of the budget while Muslims are 16.5% of the total population of the state. The share in the budget is our right but the way the government sanctioned the amount shows it as charity” he said.

“The budget should have more for the betterment of Minority educational institutions, more scholarship, surety of timely payment to Minority teachers as they are not given salaries sometimes for 9-10 months” he added.

“I have doubt about the intention of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar towards welfare of Muslims. Despite having all the power in the government, why didn’t he take any notice about the low amount for Muslims?” he asked.

“Muslim leaders must raise voice against this act of NDA government because it is not the thing that should be taken lightly. Otherwise, the thing will be getting bad to worse” he urged.

“I wonder as to why Urdu newspapers praised the government for the meager allotted amount and made it the top headlines” he added.


Muslims in a rally organized on Muslim issues on April, 2010 in Gandhi Maindan, Patna [TCN Photos]


Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi, general Secretary of Imarat Shariah, also echoed the tone of Nayyer Fatami. “It is very less amount as it includes lots of schemes. It should be at least Rs. 200 crores. The amount is even less than that spent during last financial year” he said.


On the fact that Bihar government is cutting amount for minority every year the Maulan, who is also chairman of Bihar Haj Committee, said: “Yes, it is very bad. It should not be done because it is their rights. The Chief Minister Nitish Kumar increased the amount last year from his fund later but I think sufficient amount should be allocated in budget itself.”

However, the budget has allocation of Rs 3,875 crore for road construction, Rs 3,014 crore for Human Resource Development Department, Rs 2,112 crore for Water Resource, Rs 1,740 crore for Social Welfare, Rs 1,682 crore for Energy Department, Rs 1,567 crore for Panchayati Raj, and Rs 1,293 crore for Rural Development.

As Bihar has abolished legislator’s fund and introduced in its place CM Area Development Program, the budget has allocated Rs. 644.58 crore for that which will be spent on development works in 243 assembly constituencies and concerned districts on the advice of concerned legislators.

Bilal Kagzi: Another victim of police torture

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: “Police used to give me electric shots and after making me nude they used to hit me on the face and other parts of the body and also use foul language for my mother and sisters. Besides, twice they took me to deserted places with my face covered for encounter and there they asked me to ‘run’ so that they could shoot me dead. But I did not do that and always replied them that ‘I am here, you can fire at me but I would never run away’ said Belal Kagzi, a victim of police torture.

Bilal Kagzi is a lawyer by profession and Human Rights defender from Surat, Gujarat. He became easy prey of Gujarat and Mumbai police who applied all methods to make him a terrorist and anti-national. He is making all efforts to defend himself but the shadow of police haunt does not seem to free him.




“On 8, August 2008 I was at home which is located in a small village of Surat district in Gujarat when I was informed that some officers came from Mumbai and wanted to meet me. When I reached them I came to know that they were Mumbai Crime Branch officers. They arrested me in fake extortion case and took me to Mumbai” said Bilal.


“After all kinds of investigation they did not find any evidence against me but they did not give me clean chit in the case and I was remained in custody. Then they started new drama with producing me before media as key suspect in Ahmedabad and Surat serial blasts. I was arrested from my village but media propagated that I was nabbed in Mumbai” he said.

“During interrogation I was given third degree torture. I underwent through several tests such as Lie detector, Norco Analyses and Brain Mapping but they failed to prove me involved in the blasts” he added.

“Even then they did not release me and I was given in custody of Pune branch of Maharashtra ATS. They branded me as member of banned organization SIMI. Despite the fact that during the investigation I was unable to explain the full-form of SIMI, I was charged that I had jihadi literature in Urdu and had been circulating it among people while I do not know Urdu and Arabic at all” he said.

About the motive of his arrest he said: “I became the eyesore of Intelligence Bureau (IB) since 2005 when I started working as human rights defender along with other colleagues. But as I was a Muslim and was actively raising voice for our rights, it was easy for them to target me” he claimed.



Bilal Kagzi


“After spending 110 days in the jail, I was released on bail in both cases. In extortion case, there is no evidence against me and even my name is not in FIR but they included my name in charge sheet while in SIMI case, police could not file charge sheet till the date though two years have passed.


He said that police witch hunt continues and he may be put behind the bar any time. “Not only my image in the society has been wronged, my right to live peacefully has been snatched. Today, I fear to go out of home because I do not know when I would be arrested again. After release, I went Pune two times for my case and again I was investigated 2-3 hours then I stopped visiting Pune since last two years. Last month I was introduced to Ahmedabad ATS by Surat Police since then I am afraid that I may be implicated in any big case” he expressed.


He demanded that there must be fair investigation in every case and if anyone is arrested and then no evidence is found against him he must be given clean chit publicly as his arrest was shown.“The best compensation is that we should be given respect as others and we should be trusted that we are also true Indian citizens and not terrorists” he added.

“The RSS lobby is behind the arrest of innocent Muslims in last few years. They are present in all political parties, police and even judiciary. Their aim is to target Muslims at every level. Therefore, the lives of Muslims youths who are well educated are being ruined” he said.

“The secular minded people should come forward to defeat such lobby and pressurize police to carry out fair investigation in the case. Media also must be careful not to tag Muslim youths without any evidence as terrorist” he urged.

Has Vastanvi been sacked as rector of Darul Uloom?

By Manzar Bilal,

‘Was Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi actually sacked in the Wednesday meeting of Majilis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband?’ The question may surprise many as the Gujarat-based cleric was beaming as he emerged from the meeting, and said he remains rector of the most influential Islamic seminary in the sub-continent.

But the official statement released after the meeting on behalf of Majilis-e-Shura, the powerful governing body of the seminary, has several points that indicate that the road ahead for the controversial rector at the seminary has been blocked by the Shura and his presence on the post is just for show and his exit is a matter of time.





It is believed that rather than sacking or summarily accepting his resignation which he offered at the meeting, the Deoband Shura chose for a mechanism that will make Vastanvi powerless and insignificant at the seminary and ensure his silent, ‘graceful’ exit. Two decisions of the Shura make the belief strong.

Firstly, appointment of Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani as acting rector with full power was not required if the Shura had full faith in Maulana Vastanvi because in the presence and availability of an elected, regular rector there was no need for an acting rector. Yes, late Maulana Ghulam Rasool Khamosh was appointed acting rector of the seminary in the last period of Maulana Marghubur Rahman as he had to stay 15 days of every month at his home in Bijnor but the case of Maulana Vastanvi is totally different as he does not have such problem. More importantly, the appointment of acting rector was not at all on the agenda of the Shura meeting on 23rd Feb.

Secondly, the Shura has constituted a 3-member sub-committee to probe the allegations against Maulana Vastanvi and to put recommendations on the issue but the committee was not given any deadline for submission of the report despite being a serious matter. It means Vastanvi will stay powerless and when Shura will feel that matter gets calm they will sack him publicly.

Thirdly, the statement says that in case the report of the committee goes against Vastanvi, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani will be permanent rector automatically.

Put all the points together and one can conclude that Maulana Vastanvi actually has been sacked but taking cautious step to avoid media criticism that was campaigning in his favor the decision was not made public.

That he has been sacked is also supported by developments at the meeting. According to various reliable sources at the seminary, as the meeting began Maulana Vastanvi submitted his resignation papers but he requested the Shura not to sack him immediately taking his position and respect that he holds into account. Shura accepted his point and appointed Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani acting rector with full power and put the matter of Vstanvi on hold till report comes. It means he is rector no more, instead Maulana Nomani is already permanent rector.

The Wednesday meeting was attended by 14 out of 18 members of the Shura. Interestingly, strong supporter of Maulana Vastanvi MP Maulana Badruddin Ajmal was among the four absentee members. Other three members who could not attend the meeting were Maulana Nizamudin of Bihar, Maulana Rabe Hassan Nadvi of Lucknow and Haji Jamil of Kolkata.


Press statement

Vastanvi to stay but wings clipped; Panel to probe allegations against him

By Manzar Bilal,

Deoband: Amidst speculations about his fate, Majlis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband today decided to let controversial rector Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi stay for now on the highest post of the most respected seminary in the sub-continent. The Shura will take a final call on his fate after its sub-committee submits its enquiry report on the allegations against Gujarat-based cleric Vastanvi.

The Shura has formed a 3-member committee to inquire into the allegations against Maulana Vastanvi. The committee will submit the report to Shura for final decision. The 3-member committee comprises members of the Shura -- Mufti Ismail (from Maharashtra), Mufti Manzoor Ahmed (Kanpur) and Maulana Ibrahim Malik (Tamil Nadu).



Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi [Photo: Tehelka]



In another apparent move to clip the wings of Vastanvi, the high-powered Shura (governing body) today also appointed Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani as acting rector of Deoband. Maulana Nomani had worked on the post from 8th Dec. 2010 (after the demise of rector Maulana Marghoobur Rahman) till 10th Jan. 2011 when Surat native Maulana Vastanvi was appointed with majority vote as new rector of the seminary by the Shura.

Majlis-e-Shura held a special meeting on 23rd Feb. to decide the fate of Maulana Vastanvi who came under fire from the community after his praising remarks for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the sources at the Saharanpur-based seminary, Maulana Vastanvi put his resignation papers at the meeting. The meeting, attended by 14 of total 18 members, has not readily accepted the resignation, rather has come up with an-all pleasing decision.

On one hand Shura tried to calm down anti-Vastanvi camp by appointing acting rector and forming a committee to inquire the allegations against Vastanvi. In case committee’s report goes against him he will be removed from the post.

On the other hand Shura also gave hope to pro-Vastanvi group by not sacking him now and putting the matter till the report of the inquiry committee.

However, if the committee’s report goes against Vastanvi, Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani, currently acting rector, will be permanent rector, says the official press release issued after the Shura meeting in Deoband today. Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani is Shaikhul Hadith of Jamia Islamia Reovri Talab, Banaras.





Meanwhile, the situation at the seminary is said to be peaceful. The teachers and officials are patrolling inside the campus and the gathering of the students has been prohibited to avoid any untoward incident. While security forces imposed 144 in the city and camping outside the campus.

It is interesting to note that the Deoband students who had protested against Vastanvi see today’s development just as a face saving exercise for Vastanvi. They believe he has been ousted but just to face his face and avoid any untoward situation, the matter has been left to the 3-member subcommittee.

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Anas Dehlavi, one of the student leaders, claimed that “Maulana Vastanvi has been sacked and Maulana Abul Qasim has been appointed as rector but to avoid media propaganda that was advocating for Maulana Vasatnvi the committee has been constituted.”

When asked how he can make such claim when the official version of the meeting says something different, the student leader said: “You will come to know soon that the game of Maulana Vastanvi ended today and the formation of the committee is only a formality to confirm it.”

To decide Vastanvi’s fate, Deoband Shura begins under tight security

By Manzar Bilal,TwoCircles.net,

Deoband: To decide the fate of Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi, the meeting of Majlis-e-Shura of Darul Uloom Deoband began a short while ago this morning under tight security in Deoband. The Shura will decide whether Maulana Vastanvi should continue on the post of rector of the seminary or he should be sacked.

According to sources at the seminary, the situation though peaceful but intense here. The problem may erupt whether Maulana Vastanvi remains rector or quits.

Given the sensitive matter, heavy security has been deployed in the city especially around the seminary to avoid any untoward incident.

Maulana Mohammad Ghulam Vastanvi was elected Rector of the biggest Islamic seminary on 10th Jan. 2011. But soon after his appointment the opposition began from several quarters and his praising words for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi just fueled the fire. On 23rd Jan. students held dharna demanding his ouster. Several attempts failed to calm the matter and finally Maulana Vastanvi publicly announced to quit the post if the Shura asks him to do so. And then the special meeting of Majlis-e-Shura was called to take final decision.

Out of 18 members of Majilis-e-Shura, 14 are attending the meeting while 4 are absent on health ground or for personal reasons.

List of members of Majlis-e-Shura

1. Maulana Mufti Manzoor Ahmed---Qazi Shar of Kanpur

2. Maulana Mohd Yaaqub—Amir-e-Shariat of Tamil Nadu and Patron of Madarsa Kashiful Huda, Tamil Nadu

3. Maulana Abdul Aziz---Patron of Majlis-e-Ilmi, Andhra Pradesh

4. Hafiz Mohd Siddiqui---Former Minister of UP and former Congress MP from Moradabad

5. Maulana Azhar Nomani—Deputy President of Jamit Ulema Hind (Mahmood group) and Rector of Madarsa Husainia, Ranchi

6. Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani---Shaikhul Hadith of Jamia Islamia Reori Talab, Banaras,

7. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal---President of AIUDF and MP from Dhubri, Assam

8. Maulana Nizamuddin—Amir-e-Shariat Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa and General Secretary of All India Muslim Personal Law Board

9. Maulana Ghulam Mohd Vastanvi—Rector of Darul Uloom, Deoband and patron of hundreds of Madarsas in Gujarat and Maharashtra

10. Maulana Abdul Aleem Farooqi—General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema Hind and Patron of Darul Moballeghin, Lucknow

11. Maulana Syed Mohd Rabe Hasani Nadwi—President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Nazim of Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow

12. Maulana Mohd Talha—Patron of Madarsa Mazahirul Uloom, Saharanpur

13. Maulana Syed Miyan Khalil Hussain—Rector of Madarsa Asgharia, Deoband

14. Maulana Mohd Ismail—MLA from Malegaon and Shaikhul Hadith of Darul Uloom Mohammadia

15. Maulana Mohd Ishtiyaq---Shaikhul Hadith of Madarsa Jamiul Uloom, Mozaffarpur

16. Haji Jameel Ahmed---Famous businessman of Kolkata

17. Maulana Malik Mohd Ibrahim---Patron of Madarsa Miftahul Uloom, Melvisharam, Tamil Nadu

18. Mufti Saeed Ahmed Palanpuri—Shaikhul Hadith of Darul Uloom Deoband

When Vastanvi was praising Modi, Muslims were being tortured in Surat

By Manzar Bilal,

New Delhi: Maulana Vastanvi may praise Modi’s Gujarat for ‘no discrimination against minorities’, but the factual evidences tell a different story --.atrocities and discrimination against Muslims and lawlessness are rampant in the state. Interestingly, the latest incident of state police cruelty on Muslims has happened at Bardoli area of Vastanvi’s home district Surat.

On 20th Jan. 2011, Maulana Vstanavi’s praising words for Modi hit the headlines while on the same day several Muslims including children and women were arrested, abused, tortured and threatened by the police in the Bardoli city of Surat wherein falls Vastan – the village of Maulana Ghulam Muhammed Vastanvi. Their only crime was that they along with secular minded Hindus were preparing to celebrate the Republic Day together without any association of the state government.



The office bearers of an NGO named Noorie Parivaar (NP) disclosed the case with documentary evidences on 3rd Feb. at a press conference in New Delhi.

“Our organization has been working for the unity of people in the country. As part of our unity programs, we have been organizing programs to celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day every year at different places wherein our members from across the country and cutting across the religious boundary participate” said Kishor Kumar,NP President of Gujarat province.

“This year we planned to celebrate Republic Day at Kranti Maidan in Pulsana near Bardoli of Surat district. Police asked us not to celebrate R-Day with Muslims but we continued preparing. On 20th Jan.2011, a Police team came to the site and arrested our 16 members mostly Muslims including a 2-year old boy and one and half year old girl. They were abused and tortured and then booked falsely for disrespecting national flag, robbing mobiles and illegally gathering” alleged Kishor Kumar.

“This all happened on the indication of RSS member Suraj Pandy because he does not want that Hinds and Muslims come together. When we reached police station for the release of the arrested people, police refused saying they cannot be released before R-Day. They were put in the jail. We appealed to Jail superintendent to release minor children but it fell on the deaf” he added.


He further said that they contacted Commissioner and complained about the rude manner of police but he also defended the police and justified the illegal detention a legal action. “We filed petition in High Court against it where Jail superintendent said that he was unaware that there were any minor children among those arrested” he added.

“After R-Day was over, the people behind the arrest contacted us and asked for Rs 70 thousand per head for the release of the arrested people. They said they have setting in Police as well as courts so they can do this. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for the arrested people to come out of jail soon” he added.

The NP decided to give them some money to know about others who are indulged in the game. “When we talked to them, we came to know that not only police but senior officers, lawyers and even some judges are involved” he added.

Mr. Kishor gave a CD to the reporters which contains the telephonic conversation between the member of NP and the RSS member which revealed the story of lawlessness in Gujarat.

However, on 1st Feb. the accused were released on bail by High Court.Meanwhile, they filed complaints in High Court and Supreme Court that they were abused and tortured during the illegal custody.
In his comment on whole dilemma, Supreme Court Lawyer Mr. B.S.Bilowaria said: “It is shameful matter for our country, the largest democracy in the world, that minorities are discriminated by government machinery.”

“On one hand BJP is shouting that they were not allowed to hoist tricolor at Lal Chowk in Kashmir and on the other hand BJP ruled sate did not allow the Muslims to unfurl the same flag. Isn’t it obvious contrast between the BJP’s act and claim?” he asked.

Mr. Bilowaria, who is also NP president of Delhi province, urged the government to take tough action to stop harassment and atrocities against Muslims and other weaker sections of the society.

“Ayodhya verdict legitimizes Hindu extremism”

By Manzar Bilal,

Patna: “If you ask me to explain the Ayodhya verdict in simple words, I would say it is a legal expression to the slogan given by Lal Krishna Advani in 1990, during his Rath Yatra ; Ram ki kasm khate hain, Mandir wahin banayenge (We swear by Ram to build the Ram mandir at the site of Babri mosque). The verdict legitimizes Hindu fundamentalism and is a threat to the principles on which secular and independent India has been founded,” said Advocate Anupam Gupta who was the standing counsel of Liberhan Commission for 8 years.



Advocate Anupam Gupta speaking while on the stage (L-R) Prof. Dvaker, Prof. Arun Kumar and Nasiruddin Haider Khan

Mr. Gupta was delivering 5th Lalit Kishore Sinha Memorial Lecture on “Future of India and Ayodhya Verdict” organized jointly by Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies here in Patna on 13rd Feb.

The verdict on Ayodhya dispute was delivered by Allahabad High Court’s special bench on September 30, 2010, not only worried Indian Muslims but also other secular-minded people because it was based on faith and not evidences which opened doors for the extremist forces who wanted to turn secular India into Hindu Rashtra.

“While working for the Liberhan Commission I have interacted with many Sangh Privar leaders who were saying that ‘there was no mosque at all anytime’ and I was surprised when I read the judgment given by Justice Dharam Veer Sharma because he also refused the existence of the Masjid,” Mr. Gupta further said.

“I want to ask them that if there was no mosque then why they need to demolish it on 6 Dec. 1992?” he questioned.


Audience


In their judgments containing thousands of pages, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Justice Dharam Veer Sharma researched and discussed history, myth, religion and faith but did not touch the illegality of the placement of idol inside the mosque in 1949 and demolition of the mosque in 1992. If they would have delivered the judgment keeping these two crucial and illegal acts on the record, the verdict would have been totally different, Mr. Gupta further argued.

All the three judges accepted that it was impossible to prove the exact birthplace of lord Ram on the basis of evidences but they concluded that as the majority of Hindus believe that the place of central dome is the birthplace of Ram so it should be accepted.

Questioning the judgment, Mr. Gupta said, “I ask why Muslims’ faith was sidelined on the issue, if the basis of the judgment was faith?”

Mr. Gupta concluded that the verdict must be countered in the Apex Court because “it gives precedence to faith over rule of law and thereby far reaching implications for the secular fabric of our society.”

Deoband withdraws suspension order, to consider students’ demand

By Manzar Bilal,

New Delhi: The protesting students of Darul Uloom Deoband put their agitation on hold after the seminary administration withdrew its Monday order to suspend nine of them and assured them to call a special meeting of Majlis-e-Shura within 2-3 days to consider their demand for dismissal of newly elected rector Maulana Mohammad Ghulam Vastanvi.

Talking to TwoCircles.net Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, Deputy Rector of Darul Uloom, said: “The situation has returned to normalcy at the seminary. Students called off dharna and resumed their academic activities. We are 100% satisfied with the present situation here.”



Students of Darul Uloom Deoband [TCN Photo]


Asked why they decided to suspend 9 students and then withdrew their decision he said: “The decision to suspend 9 students was taken at the high level committee headed by the Rector to suppress the uneasy environment of the seminary. But the decision was held back as some senior teachers appealed to the rector that this would further worsen the matter”.

On the allegation that he beat a student badly he said that it is totally baseless. “I along with a teacher went to the place where students were sitting on dharna. We were trying to convince them to give up the agitation because it is defaming the name of the world famous Islamic seminary. At that time the students of anti-Rector camp clashed with pro-Rector supporters, leading to injury of some students” he told TCN.

On when the meeting of Majlis-e-Shura will be held he said: “According to rule special meeting of Majlis-e-Shura can be called by Rector or members of Majlis-e-Shura on the condition that at least one-third of them are agreed on it. Though the date has not been fixed, the meeting is expected soon.”

Maulana Madrasi pointed fingers at outsiders for the whole drama.
Asked what measure he is going to take to solve the matter, the Maulana said: “Actually some outsiders are provoking students for this ugly steps but the administration is active to defeat their bad intention. As per now we have taken some time from the students and Majlis-e-Shura will take the final decision in this regard.”

On the other hand, however, the president of Jamiat-ut-Talaba (students union) Maulvi Saad Jamil Bijnauri who is leading the agitation said they have not called off the protest rather put it on hold. Talking to TCN, Bijnauri said: “We did not give up our agitation but put on hold. We have been promised that the meeting of the Majlis-e-Shura will be called within 2 days to reconsider the decision for appointment of Vastanvi as rector. So, we are waiting for that moment.”

Asked what they will do if their demand is not met, he said: “We are not going to agree on any decision less than removal of Vastanvi. In case our demand is not be fulfilled, we will resume our dharna” he said.

On why they are opposing Maulana Vastanvi he said: “Not only students but barring few, all teachers are against Vastanvi though for reasons they are not talking about this openly. The thinking of Vastanvi does not match with the tradition of Darul Uloom. In his first statement he said that he would change the tradition of Darul Uloom. He has been sitting in the lap of politicians therefore he praised Narendra Modi despite the fact that he is the murderer of thousands of Muslims. Vastanvi has felicitated a politician with an idol for his personal benefit. Tell me how we can tolerate such person as rector of the biggest Islamic seminary in Asia.”

However, several attempts by TCN to contact Vastanvi for his views failed.

In his comment Maulana Arshad Madani regretted the current situation at the seminary: “Things going on at the seminary are very painful that should not happen because it is defaming the respected name of Darul Uloom,” Maulana Madani told TCN.

“I cannot comment on the selection of Maulana Vastanvi as it has been done by Majlis-e-Shura. But Maulana Vastnvi should also be careful in his statement. I think the whole problem started after his praising words for Modi that was totally wrong and hurt the sentiments of Muslims,” he said.

Maulana Vastanvi has been facing opposition from the students soon after his appointment as rector on January 10, 2011. The situation went bad on Sunday evening after students halted educational activities at the seminary demanding removal of Vastanvi for his controversial statement on Modi. The clash between the students and the administration added the fuel to the anger of the students and they sat on dharna from Monday morning.

The things took ugly turn on Monday evening with the news came out that 9 of the agitating students were suspended. The students who were keeping aloof themselves from the agitation also joined it showing sympathy toward their colleagues. At that time some senior teachers namely Maulana Arshad Madani, Maulana Nematullah Azmi, Maulana Mufti Yosuf met Maulana Vastanvi and requested him to withdraw his suspension order to avoid any unwanted incident. Consequently, Vastanvi withdrew the order and assured them that the meeting of Majlis-e-Shura would be called soon.

After the meeting with Vastanvi, these teachers went to the place where students were sitting on dhrna and informed them about the decision of Vastanvi. They appealed to the agitating students to end the dharna and engage in educational activities. The students postponed the agitation late night on Monday with the condition that the special meeting of the Majlis-e-Shura must be called within 2-3 days.

The situation at the seminary is reported to be peaceful on Tuesday as students were seen attending classes as per their routine.

Painful story of Abdur Rahim, acquitted in Mecca Masjid Blast case

By Manzar Bilal,

New Delhi: “They used to put electric shots to my lips, nose and ears. They used to regularly beat me harshly and when I happened to fall faint, they used to throw water on my face to make me conscious. This used to be followed by another cycle of brutality. Besides, they regularly abused my mother and sisters, threatening to misbehave with them.” This was Abdur Rahim who was acquitted in Mecca Masjid Blast, recounted the narrative of pain.

Abdur Rahim is among many Muslim youths from Hyderabad, who were falsely put behind the bar, following May 2007 Mecca Masjid Bomb Blast. They were illegally picked up, tortured, harassed and after being languished in jail for months, they were acquitted. Even after they have been proved innocent, the government is yet to take any step to rehabilitate them.





Narrating story of nightmare

Talking exclusively to TwoCircles.net, Abdur Rahim narrated the nightmare which he lived since September 2007. “On September 5, 2007, I was sitting inside my house with my father while other family members went to attend a function. Suddenly, few policemen barged into the house asking me to come out. But as I stepped out of home, they covered my face and picked up. I was put illegally in an unknown place for 4 consecutive days. During custody, they used third degree torture to force me to confess about my involvement in Mecca Masjid Bomb Blast.”

Social ostracization

Abdur Rahim’s arrest did not ruin only his own life but also that of his family members.

“Following my arrest, neighbors and relatives socially ostracized and isolated my family. Subsequently my brother lost his job that led my family into financial crisis. It was very difficult for them to arrange for livelihood, let alone to arranging money to hire a lawyer for my case,” he painfully added. So much so that he couldn’t arrange 25000 Rs, the amount required for his bail, on his own. He managed to get bail only after few people came forward to help him out.



Abdur Rahim


Abdur Rahim who spent painful five months in jail without committing any crime, once he was out, has to face mental trauma and social ostracization which was, at one level, perhaps bitter than his experiences in jail. “Because of the social boycott, we left the area we have been for last 25 years,” added Abdur Rahim.

Witch hunt continues

The police witch hunt against him continued even after Abdur Rahim’s acquittal in Dec. 2009. “If any unwanted incident happens in any place, police calls me at the police station and makes me sit for hours unnecessarily,” he added.

Demand compensation

Demanding compensation for his rehabilitation and strong punishment for the responsible police officers, Abdur Rahim said, “I was made to go through hell without committing any crime. Who is responsible for what I went through? The government must take tough action against guilty officers to correct the system. My false arrest left me without job and wronged my image in the society. So, I demand Government to give proper compensation for rehabilitation that will be the real apology.”

Deoband students not satisfied with Vastanvi’s resignation offer

By Manzar Bilal,

New Delhi: After facing strong protest from students and community leaders for indirectly praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, newly elected rector of Darul Uloom Deoband Maulana Mohammad Ghulam Vastanvi Tuesday offered to step down from the post reasoning that it would not be possible for him to work in the present circumstances.

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi, Deputy Rector of Darul Uloom, confirmed it. “Yes, Maulana Vastanvi has decided to quit the post to put an end to the unrest at the seminary. He will formally place resignation before the members of Majlis-e-Shura (Governing Body) that will meet on 15th Feb. 2011. They will take the final decision whether Maulana would continue on the post or his resignation would be accepted” he said.



Deoband students


While the head of students’ union Maulvi Saad Jamil Bijnori termed the move misleading and a ploy to save his post. “We reject his offer to resign. He says if members of Shura ask him to quit, he would do that. Nothing is new in this. He has said this before. We are demanding unconditional resignation from him and the meeting of Majilis-e-Shura within 2-3 days to fulfill our demand: he told TCN.

“The announcement for resignation is also a trick from his side to turn the situation in his favor but we will not let him succeed. He offered the resignation but decided to call special meeting of the Shura on 15th February. This long period only for the situation to return to the normalcy at the seminary. Meantime he will convince the members of the Shura that all is well here. Consequently, they will ask him to continue his post” he added.



Maulana Mohammad Ghulam Vastanvi [Screen shot of a video from IBN news channel]


“Why did he not call meeting within 2-3 days despite we have been promised that? We are appealing to members of Majlis-e-Shura to take action in this regard this week itself otherwise situation may take ugly turn. Because agitating students are being harassed and propaganda is being spread that outsiders are protesting while truth is that except few, all students stand together against current Rector” he added.

Maulana Mohammad Ghulam Vastanvi was elected Rector of the biggest Islamic seminary on 10th Jan. 2011. But soon after his appointment the opposition began and his praising words for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi just fueled the fire. On 23rd Jan. students held dharna demanding his ouster. However, Vastanvi tried to calm the matter by offering resignation on Tuesday.

Thousands march against Mubarak in Delhi

By Manzar Bilal,

New Delhi: To show solidarity with the people of Egypt in their historic and revolutionary protest demanding end of the dictatorship of President Hosni Mubarak and restoration of true democracy in Egypt, hundreds of students, social activists and volunteers of several organizations on 2nd Feb. protested outside the Egyptian Embassy in New Delhi.

Shouting slogans like “US puppet Hosni Mubarak down, down” "Hosni Mubarak get lost", Hosni Mubarak your time is up”, “Imperialism haye haye” and “Democracy Zindabad”, the protestors marched towards the embassy at 3pm. Holding placards reading slogans like "enough is enough”, ‘Quit Mubarak, “Free Arab world from US Puppet regimes” and US imperialism, hands off Middle East”, the demonstrators were expressing their solidarity with the Egyptian people and anger against Hosni Munarak and America and Israel.



Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan addressing the protest rally


The protesters were students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University as well as students and teachers from various other institutions associated with All India Students Association (ASIA), Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) and Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association (JTSA).


Besides, several social and religious organizatios also participated in the protest including. They included All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM), Jamaat-e-islami Hind (JIH), Asian People's Solidarity for Palestinian (APSP), Association for the protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and Delhi Malyali Halqa.


Amidst heavy security the protestors held a meeting in front of gate no. 1 which was addressed by the leaders of the participating groups.



Sucheta De, general secretary of JNU unit, All India Students Association (AISA) addressing the protest rally


Addressing the meeting, Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, Editor, Milli Gazette and Acting President, AIMMM said: “Hosni Mubarak definitely will have to go down but we want him in the jail because due to his dictatorship he fits for that place only.”

“There has not been rule of law for 30 years in Egypt rather rule of police. The fact that in elections there not a single opposition candidate was able to be elected is enough to know that there has been dictatorship” he added.

He further said: “It is the beginning of revolution in Arab world for the rights of people. People want freedom from tyranny and also end of intervention of America in their country and I am sure people now or later will win the fight for justice.”





Speaking at the occasion Sucheta De, general secretary of AISA, said: “We are here not only to show solidarity with people of Egypt but also people across the world who are fighting for justice and democracy.”

She also heavily came down on Indian government for not clarifying its stand over the issue: ‘Why Indian government is dumb over whole issue. Is it afraid of America and Israel because Hosni Mobarak is their puppet?” she asked adding “Stop pleasing America and Israel and stand up for justice and rule of democracy across the world.”

Intezar Naeem, secretary of JIH said: “In last 50 years nearly 50 thousand people lost their lives for raising voice of justice in Egypt. But now they stood united for establishment of peace and justice. We are with them and appeal to our government to join the cause of justice.”






Md. Akhlaq of APCR said that the upsurge in Egypt proved that the capitalism lost to revolution. “It is alarming bell for all the puppets of America and Israel that their time is up. There is no more scope for capitalism and imperialism” he said.

“Whenever revolution came in the world, the youths have been in forefront. Today, while youths of Egypt are leading the protest for bringing the democracy in the country we the youths of India are standing with them in this struggle because we want rule of people and not rule of police and dictator” opined Shoaib Shaikh of SIO.

While in his address ex-President of SIO Suhail K.K. said: “Revolution has come in various places but people of Egypt are creating history as they are bringing revolution without damaging public properties.”

Several other speakers also echoed the demand ‘Quit Hosni Munarak’ in their speeches.

At the end of the meeting a 5-point memorandum was submitted to the Ambassador of Egypt in India demanding immediate resignation of Hosni Mubarak, restoration of democracy in Egypt and release of innocent people who were put behind the bar for voicing against the government.

Rayeesuddin: Acquitted in Mecca Masjid blast, still facing police witch hunt

By Manzar Bilal,

New Delhi: “It was 31st August 2007 and I was returning home from my work when some policemen kidnapped me and kept me in illegal custody for 8 days. After weeks of third degree torture, they made me confess my ‘involvement’ in the May 2007 Mecca Masjid blast,” said Md. Rayeesuddin

Rayeesuddin is one of the several Muslims youths from Hyderabad who were arrested in connection with the Mecca Masjid blast and tortured for the crime they never committed. Though this resident of Hyderabad was acquitted later, the physical, financial and social damages he continues to bear can never be healed, Md. Rayeesuddin said in an exclusive interview with TwoCircles.net.



Talking about the third degree torture by police during his illegal custody at an undisclosed location, Rayeesuddin said, “They used to give me electric shocks besides hitting at my heels after hanging me by hands. The thrust of their torture was to force me to confess, saying ‘if you want to be alive confess the involvement in Mecca Masjid blast.”


Revealing the motive behind his illegal arrest, he said: “In 2004, Gujarat police came to Hyderabad to arrest Maulana Nasiruddin. At that time, I along with my friend Mujahid Saleem, opposed his arrest. The police shot dead my friend on the spot. Since I was the eyewitness to the killing by the police, they falsely implicated me in the Mecca Masjid blast case.”



Rayeesuddin’s family had its own share of mental harassment by Hyderabad police. Whenever his family members used to visit him in the high security prison, police used to tell them, ‘first write on a piece of paper that you want to meet an ISI agent then we will let you meet him,’ alleged Rayeesuddin.



Md. Rayeesuddin

However, after spending six months in the jail, he was given bail by the state High Court. But even after his acquittal in the case in December 2009, he is still being socially ostracized by his friends and relatives. “After coming from jail, people living around me and even my relatives and friends started to keep themselves aloof. They do not want to meet me. Whenever they mention my name, they do not forget to refer as Rayeesuddin of Mecca Masjid bomb blast” said Rayeesuddin who, before his arrest, used to work as a salesman at a city’s famous diamond shop.



In Dec. 2009, a Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court had acquitted him along with 17 arrested Muslims youths from all charges.



The blot of a ‘terrorist’ left him without any job offer even at his former employer. “I not only lost my previous job, it became very difficult for me to find a new one. Even if I could get a job after lots of struggle, I used to be thrown out when my employers came to know that I was an accused in Mecca Masjid blast. At present, I am doing seasonal work at seasonal fairs and for rest of the time I work as a street vendor.”



He might have been acquitted of all charges but police continue to harass him. “Whenever any sensitive occasion comes, city police call me at police station. On the occasion of Babri Masjid verdict on 30 Sep. 2010, for instance, they kept me at police station till evening. When I said that I have already paid much for no crimes then why they are continuing to disturb my life. ‘At least once you were accused’ they replied” said Rayeesuddin.

He demanded from the government to investigate all the links of terror cases afresh particularly in the light of Swami Aseemanand’s confession which has made it very clear that Muslim youths who were arrested in Mecca Masjid case were innocents.



“The precious time I lost because of the false allegations against me, will never return. The label of terrorist that I was given, can never be separated from me. I want apology from government and also compensation for rehabilitation of not myself alone but for all the other innocents who were falsely accused in the Mecca Masjid blast case,” Rayeesuddin further demanded.