Karnataka: PFI demands action againt Sangh Parivar activists for wielding weapons at public places
Bengaluru: Popular Front of India (PFI) on Wednesday held a press conference demanding action against Sangh Parivar activists who wielded weapons like swords during their rallies across the state on Vijaya Dashami day. The press conference was held at Press Club Bengaluru.
As a part of Vijaya Dashami celebrations, right-wing groups including Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had organised rallies wherein their activists were seen flaunting swords and other weapons, calling it “Hindu Shakti Sangam”.
During the press conference, the organization called for immediate action by the police department and filing of suo-moto case against the organizations.
“On the said occasion, throughout Udupi's main streets, there were public displays of firearms, rifles, and other weapons in public places; this was witnessed in Belagavi's Brahma Nagar's Hanuman Mandir, Bijapur, Davanagere, Gadag's Naragunda, etc. In the Dakshina Kannada district, the tridents were distributed among Bajrang Dal activists,” a press statement from PFI stated.
“It is appalling to witness that an accused- who had involved in a stabbing case has been conferred a trident. Among them, the programs ruthlessly provoked hate-mongering speeches and fueled the prejudices against the Muslim community, and have delivered the ultimatum of demolition of their religious institutions. There's a spine-chilling fact that there is a conspiracy to create division among religions and create unrest in society. In the meantime, the police have filed a weak case in order to quell the outrage over the incident of a public rally in Belgaum. Despite the video evidence, no strict action has been initiated against the culprits. The police's soft stand towards the Sangh Parivar has encouraged unrest among the public. It is becoming crystal clear that the BJP government led by Chief Minister Bommai, who defended the Sangh Parivar, has backed the police department the responsibility of protection of the accused,” the statement added while questioning the role of the police department in maintaining law and order situation in the state.
“Amid all these dangerous developments, the recent atrocities against the Muslim community in the state are terrifying. The brutal murder of a youth named Arbaaz in Belagavi, deadly assault on a student in Ilkal taluk of Bagalkot, threats to demolish historic Masjids in Gadag, etc are transforming into daily norms. Hate speeches delivered by the leaders of Sangh Pariwar, criticism of Prophet, etc; in addition to all the dangerous developments- the lawmakers are supporting them either directly or indirectly. Finally, the Sangh Parivar has garnished their ideology by distributing the swords, cudgels, and other deadly weapons among their activists during the Shobha Yatra!!” it further added.
“It is illegal to perform a demonstration of weapons in public places. The police department should have considered such malicious programs that create fear among the minorities, particularly in the Muslim community. It's insane to veil the incidents by filing weak cases against culprits. The organizers of the event and the activists must be held guilty for their acts. The Chief Minister of the State should intervene and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the near future. Else, 'Popular Front of India' will revolt ferociously throughout the state,” PFI state secretary AK Ashraf said during the press conference.
Ilyas Muhammad, Zonal President, Popular Front of India, Bangalore, and Abdul Razak Kemmara, State Leader, Popular Front of India, Karnataka were also present during the press conference.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bond between Assamese Muslims, Hindus very strong: Author Wasbir Hussain
Guwahati (PTI): The bond between Assamese Hindus and Assamese Muslims is very strong and no one can easily break the traditional friendship between the two communities, Wasbir Hussain, author and executive director of Centre for Development and Peace Studies, has said.
Addressing the fourth anniversary celebrations of the Assamese Syed Welfare Trust, an organisation representing the Assamese Syeds, Hussain on Sunday urged Gauhati University to start a chair in the name of Azan Pir, a 17th-century Muslim reformer and Sufi saint, on the subject of 'inter-faith harmony or harmony of communities'.
Assamese Syeds are one of the five Muslim groups officially recognised by the Assam government as indigenous communities of the state.
Hussain said except religion, there is no difference between Assamese Hindus and Assamese Muslims. Their language is the same, culture is the same, food habits are the same and they dress the same way, he said.
"I strongly believe that no one can easily break the traditional bond of friendship between Assamese Hindus and Assamese Muslims," he said.
Hussain, who is also the editor-in-chief of Guwahati-based Northeast Live, spoke about how the indigenous Muslims of Assam follow cultural Islam compared to religious Islam and live peacefully with the larger Hindu population of the state.
He complimented Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for taking initiatives for the protection of the heritage of the Assamese Muslim community and its overall growth.
Gauhati University Vice Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta, the chief guest of the event, said people or communities can have multiple identities that transcend religion.
He cited the example of Assamese Muslims and Syeds who are descendants of Sufi saint Azan Pir, saying they are part of the greater Assamese society.
Mahanta assured that he will push for the Assamese Syed Welfare Trust's proposal to introduce the Azan Pir chair in Gauhati University and that he will work towards republishing the works of renowned Assamese writer Syed Abdul Malik's 'Jikirs Aru Jari'.
Assamese Syed Welfare Trust president Syed Abdul Rashid Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
