Latest news with #KashmiriMuslims
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Jamaat condemns incidents of violence against Muslims
The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a leading Muslim body, has said that recent incidents of violence against minorities are 'highly disturbing'. Referring to an incident in Aligarh where an angry mob accused four Muslim men of transporting beef and allegedly stripped them, and beat them with belts and sticks, the Jamaat vice-president Malik Motasim Khan said, 'It's highly disturbing but even more shocking is that the police registered cases against both the attackers and the victims under the Cow Slaughter Act. This is a total miscarriage of justice. Such actions embolden anti-social elements.' The police had earlier filed complaints against 38 people in the assault case under Sections 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (unlawful assembly), 190 (unlawful assembly to commit an offence), 109 (attempt to murder), 308 (extortion), 310(2) (robbery) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A meat sample was sent to a laboratory in Mathura. Following its examination, it was found that the meat was not beef. According to Mr. Khan, the Aligarh incident is not an isolated case of violence against the community members. 'India has witnessed a disturbing pattern of mob lynchings and hate crimes against Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalised groups in recent years, often under the guise of cow protection or love jihad. From the lynching of Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal, Karnataka, to the brutal killing of Ashraf in Mangaluru, to communal clashes in Nagpur and the targeted harassment of Kashmiri Muslims across the country, these incidents are a stain on our nation's conscience. Despite the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling against mob lynching, compliance remains patchy, and accountability is rare,' he said. Also read | Demolition squad: On the Supreme Court and 'bulldozer justice' The Jamaat vice-president reiterated the organisation's demand for strict enforcement of anti-lynching provisions. 'The fear of the law needs to be reinforced, and a climate of impunity dismantled. The targeting of Muslims not only erodes the fabric of our secular democracy but also threatens India's unity and security. The government must act swiftly, hold the perpetrators accountable, ensure the safety of minorities, and restore public faith in justice and the rule of law,' he said. The Jamaat also condemned what it called 'bulldozer injustice'. 'The Jamaat condemns the ongoing illegal and inhumane demolitions of Muslim properties, homes, and educational institutions, particularly the recent bulldozer actions in Uttar Pradesh.' Mr. Khan highlighted the alleged singling out of madrasas or Islamic seminaries for punitive action. 'A recent fact-finding visit by a JIH delegation to districts like Bahraich and Shravasti revealed that several madrasas with valid registrations and approval have been sealed or demolished without due process, violating the fundamental rights of Muslim citizens. These demolitions, often justified under the guise of 'law and order' or 'illegal construction', disproportionately target minorities, especially Muslims. The practice of using bulldozers as instruments of punishment without trial or due process has turned the police and administration into judge, jury, and executioner. This is a clear violation of constitutional norms and a grave threat to our democratic fabric,' he said, adding, 'The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind reiterates the Supreme Court observation that 'properties cannot be demolished merely because they belong to a person accused of a crime'. We urge the administration to adhere to the guidelines issued by the apex court to uphold the rule of law by preventing arbitrary demolitions.' Also read | 75% of hate speech events in BJP-ruled States: Report Mr. Khan alleged that 'demolition drives often take place in the aftermath of incidents of communal violence, where minority homes and institutions are selectively targeted, while the perpetrators of violence enjoy complete impunity. These actions create an environment of fear and insecurity within the Muslim community'. He demanded an immediate halt to bulldozer actions and sought accountability of officials responsible for demolition.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam attack casts shadow on turnoutat Kheer Bhawani
The Pahalgam terror attack has cast a shadow on the annual festival of Zyestha Ashtami at the Kheer Bhawani temple in Kashmir. According to official figures, the first batch of Kashmiri Pandit devotees, who have come from several parts of the country to Kashmir for the festival, has fallen to 2,500 this year compared to around 4,500 last year. In total, over 30,000 devotees paid obeisance at the temple last year. Additional security However, a subdued response to the key festival of Kashmiri Pandits is evident in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead. Extra security arrangements have been made this year for the festival, officials said. Congress leader Karan Singh on Monday (June 2, 2025) urged devotees to attend the festival in large numbers. 'All necessary security arrangements are in place in Kashmir, especially in Tulmulla area of Ganderbal district, home to the Kheer Bhawani temple,' Mr. Singh, who paid obeisance on Monday, said. 'This place is a great blessing of the Goddess. We must not be afraid and must show the world that we are strong in our faith. People of Kashmir have suffered the most during the conflict. All need to rise above fear and support the region's revival by participating in religious and cultural events,' he added. The Kheer Bhawani festival falls on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshta Ashtami and is being organised at Tulmulla in Ganderbal, Tikker in Kupwara, Devsar and Manzam in Kulgam and Logripora in Anantnag. Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said, 'The festival has historically been a remarkable example of communal harmony. Even during the challenging years following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, local Kashmiri Muslims took on the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the Kheer Bhawani shrine, ensuring its sanctity was preserved. This act of care and devotion underscores the deep ties of mutual respect and coexistence that have defined the relationship between the two communities.' With a sense of fear looming large this year post-Pahalgam attack and the four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan, local politicians have come forward to encourage Pandits to visit the Valley temples. 'The festival has historically been a remarkable example of communal harmony. Even during the challenging years following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, local Kashmiri Muslims took on the responsibility of maintaining and protecting the Kheer Bhawani shrine, ensuring its sanctity was preserved. This act of care and devotion underscores the deep ties of mutual respect and coexistence that have defined the relationship between the two communities,' former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said. J&K Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said the Kheer Bhawani Mela has been the symbol of Kashmir's pluralistic ethos for centuries. 'This sacred festival has played a vital role in fostering communal harmony, brotherhood, and mutual respect among the diverse communities,' he said. Officials said the district administration has made elaborate facilities for devotees. 'To cater to the food and water needs of the pilgrims, langar services and drinking water points have been ensured. Health facilities including the presence of medical teams and ambulances remain on standby throughout the Mela. Moreover, mobile ATMs have been made available to ensure financial convenience for the devotees,' an official said.
India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Exodus Of Kashmiri Pandits In 90s Is Bolt On Kashmir Muslim: Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti, PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to advocate for political reservation for Kashmiri Pandit. She stated that this measure would empower them and address their exodus, which she described as a "blot" on Kashmiri Muslims. Mufti framed this as a step to "remove the blot" on Kashmiri Muslims, referring to the narrative surrounding the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s, which has been a point of contention in the region's history. Addressing the media, she said, 'Today, we discussed a matter of vital importance to Jammu and Kashmir's social and cultural fabric: the dignified return and rehabilitation of our Kashmiri Pandit brethren. This issue goes beyond politics and touches the very core of our collective conscience. It is a moral imperative and a societal responsibility to ensure that our Pandit brothers and sisters, who were tragically displaced from their homeland, are provided with the opportunity to return in a dignified, secure, and sustainable manner.' She added, 'Every political party in Jammu & Kashmir, irrespective of ideology, has consistently supported the idea of their return. The shared pain of their displacement and the yearning for reconciliation bind us all in the belief that Kashmir can once again be a place where communities coexist peacefully. To facilitate meaningful progress on this front, an inclusive and phased roadmap has been attached for your consideration. This proposal emphasizes an all-stakeholders approach, ensuring that any policy or plan pitched is rooted in empathy, mutual trust, and most importantly, on-ground realities.' Mufti further urged the LG's office "to initiate a dialogue-driven process involving representatives from the community, civil society, local leaders, and relevant administrative agencies. Only through inclusive deliberations can we chart a future where no community feels alienated in their own land." Mufti also called for the inclusion of locals in the Amarnath Yatra to ensure its smooth conduct, highlighting the historical role of locals in facilitating the pilgrimage. This demand aligns with fostering local participation and goodwill in a significant religious event, which also has economic and social implications for the region. Additionally, Mehbooba demanded the release of Kashmiris without serious charges from jails, particularly ahead of Eid. She requested that prisoners held in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir be brought back to the region, likely to ease family access and address humanitarian concerns. Finally, she criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of weakening his own elected government by not addressing critical issues like the Waqf Bill and instead engaging in ceremonial events, such as welcoming a Union Minister at Tulip Garden.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-Separatist Bilal Gani Lone Calls for Peace: 'Hindus & Muslims Must Unite in Kashmir'
In this powerful and thought-provoking interview, former separatist Bilal Gani Lone opens up about the need for dialogue and reconciliation between Kashmiri Muslims and Hindus. He emphasises that coexistence and communication are crucial for Kashmir's healing and future. From addressing the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the importance of unity in the Valley, Lone delivers a bold message: "We must sit together to move forward." Read More
Business Recorder
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘After aerial humiliation, panicked India bombed its own people'
This is apropos a letter to the Editor carried by the newspaper on Monday. In this writer's view, the gravest development, however, is the recent missile misfires that have turned India's own weapons on its people. At least two ballistic missiles, reportedly launched during retaliatory salvos aimed at Pakistani positions, veered off course and exploded within Indian territory. In the immediate aftermath, chaos erupted across Indian-controlled Kashmir and East Punjab, with local hospitals overwhelmed by casualties. Indian media, in a desperate attempt to save face, labeled these attacks as Pakistani provocations—but those claims quickly unraveled. Pakistan, for its part, categorically denied launching any such strikes and emphasized that its military doctrine does not target civilian populations, especially in areas where it shares deep religious and political sympathies, such as among Kashmiri Muslims and Khalistani Sikhs. More importantly, Pakistani intelligence intercepted and traced the origin of the misfires back to Indian launch sites—corroborated by eyewitness accounts, trajectory tracking, and analysis by third-party observers. This is not the first time India has humiliated itself through missile mishandling. In 2022, an Indian missile accidentally landed in Pakistan during a 'routine maintenance error,' prompting a major diplomatic protest. Then too, India failed to notify its own neighbors in real-time—highlighting a command structure fraught with negligence and poor oversight. Now, with multiple self-inflicted missile strikes during an active war, the stakes are no longer regional—they're global. India's nuclear capability places it in a high-stakes category where even a minor miscalculation can trigger regional or global catastrophe. Its inability to ensure missile accuracy and its failure to maintain control over its ballistic arsenal demands urgent international scrutiny. Global watchdogs, including the United Nations Security Council, should urgently convene to impose technical and procedural safeguards on India's missile testing and deployment systems. Countries like the United States, Russia, and China—regardless of their rivalries—must agree on inspection protocols for South Asia's missile networks, particularly India's, to prevent an unintentional nuclear escalation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
