andalib akhter / New Delhi
India’s prominent Muslim body, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has launched a 15 day nationwide campaign for promoting peace and humanity in the country. The campaign is launched in the backdrop of the growing communal rift in the society.
At the beginning of the drive in New Delhi, eminent personalities from different community came together to gave a call for promoting peace and harmony in the society. They supported Jamaat endeavor saying there is need for an intensive campaign for establishment of peace and humanity in the society.
Speaking at the inaugural session of Jamaat’s nationwide Peace & Humanity campaign (21 Aug – 4 Sept), well known social activist and writer Ram Puniyani said communalism of all religious groups is bad. “Today communalism of Hindus calls itself nationalism. Gau Raksha is a political tool” he said while supporting the campaign.
“Today lots of wrong things are being spread against Muslims and Christians. Therefore, common people need to be approached in order to remove their misunderstandings,” Puniyani stressed.
In his presidential address the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Maulana Syed Jalauddin Umari said that Peace and security was essential for nation progress and development.
Condemning all attacks on people in the name of cow protection, Umari said, “While the PM himself said that 85% of all those engaging in violence in the name of cow protection are criminals, the impact of his statement has not yet been on ground.” He sought action to prevent such attacks.
Magsaysay awardee and eminent social activist Dr Sandeep Pandey highlighted the division in the society in Gujarat post 2002 riots.”One partition took place in 1947 but the second one has now taken place in Gujarat – where Hindu areas have no Muslim resident and Muslim areas have no Hindu resident.”There is an urgent need to promote co-habitation where all should reside together. They are creating walls in minds. Efforts are being made to divide us and incite violence,” he said.
Representing the Jain community, Kastur Muni, patron of Vishwa Ahimsa Sangh said, “Our thoughts and words should not trouble others; they in fact should please us and others.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr John Dayal, Secretary-General of the All India Christian Council said “There is a need to revive spirit of Constitution; we want rights of equality. There is no difference between my patriotism and your patriotism,” he said referring to incidents where saffron groups and leaders have questioned patriotism of Muslims and Christians.
National president of All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat, Navaid Hamid strongly criticized Sangh ideology. “Sangh is not an institution; it is actually an ideology. As long as this ideology persists, peace and humanity will remain in danger. Until and unless this ideology is crushed, peace can’t be established in the society,” said Hamid.
He also criticized the upcoming New Education Policy formulated by the current BJP-led NDA government.
Ayodhya saint and peace activist YugalkishoreShastri also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Syed Sadatullah Hussain, vice president of Jamaat and national convener of the campaign, said, “Some forces want to divide the society; they actually want to push the society to a civil war. This is dangerous indications and all people who believe in peace and humanity must stand up to save the society and the country.”
Jamaat also conferred Sadbhavana Award to four persons for their outstanding work in the field of communal harmony on the occasion. The awardees were Ram Puniyani (Mumbai), Sandeep Pandey (Lucknow), JS Bandukwala (Vadodara) and YugalkishoreShastri (Ayodhya).