Muslim board vows to take on anti-minority forces

The two day convention of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board concluded in Jaipur with a resolution to launch a nationwide campaign against the “Hindu communal forces” and failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure security for minority sections of society.

Delegates said the prime minister has been a mute spectator to the anti-minority initiatives taken by the BJP’s close associates and right wing organisations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swaymsevak Sangh (RSS).
Over 250 delegates across the country condemned the controversial “ghar wapasi” or

“homecoming” conversion programme launched by the RSS. They said that minorities have been insecure after the BJP and Modi came to power in India.

“Several campaigns by the BJP’s right wing organisations, including the VHP and the RSS, have been aimed at creating a communal divide in the country. Muslims and Christians are being forced to get converted into Hinduism through ghar wapsi programme.

“Surprisingly, Modi, despite making tall claims, has been a mute spectator,” said Mohammed Abdul Rahim Qureshi, secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. We have decided to set up a committee and create awareness among members of the community to stand up for their constitutional rights, he added.

Delegates asserted that several decisions by the Union government and respective state governments have created a difficult atmosphere for Muslims in the country. This is the dictatorship of Hindutva forces under the Modi regime, he added.

Members also took up several decisions taken by the Haryana and Madhya Pradesh governments and termed them anti-minority. Issues such as the ban on beef consumption was also taken up during the two-day convention. Members said that instead of looking at the beef ban through a religious prism, it should be looked at independently.

Meanwhile, Modi’s aide Zafer Sareshwal was asked to leave the venue and a few members raised objection to his presence.

Furious over his presence, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi announced that he would walk out of the venue.  

Owaisi and his supporters even demanded an explanation from organisers on whether Zafer was invited or not.

However, Zafer said that even most members and office-bearers of the All India Muslim Law Board were closely associated with the Samajwadi Party and the Congress.