Jamaat-e-Islami voices concern over growing intolerance

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Monday voiced concern over the growing intolerance and communal violence in the country.

At the four-day national conclave, which concluded here on Monday, JIH criticized the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the increasing incidents of intolerance and the statements of central ministers and BJP leaders encouraging communal elements.

In a resolution passed at the conclave, attended by about 10,000 top cadre from across the country, it welcomed the fact that the country stood up against the intolerance. "A great majority of our countrymen are peace-loving and want to leads a life of peace, tranquility and communal harmony," it said.

JIH chief Moulana Syed Jalaluddin Umri told reporters that there is a need to promote dialogue, understand and tolerate each other."If you have any problem with me, let us discuss and sort it out but telling somebody that follow me or else go to Pakistan will not work in a democracy," he said.

He said while Jamaat work with non-Muslim groups on common issues, a direct interaction with the Bharatiya Janata Party is not possible unless it clears its stand about Muslims.

The Jamaat alleged that the BJP government is pursuing anti-people policies, which solely benefit rich and the multinational companies. It said the party failed to fulfill poll promises and bring 'achche din' for people.

Moulana Umri pointed out that Jamaat hold talks with different political parties from time to time. "They come to us and we also go to them. Aam Admi Party came to us many a times. We presented before them various problems faced by the people," he said.

The organization invited all countrymen towards divine guidance. It appealed them to study Islamic teachings without any bias and see for themselves if they offer any solution to their problems.

Welcoming the decision of Nitish Kumar's government in Bihar to impose prohibition, Moulana Umri urged all states to follow suit.

"It was seen in the past that if one state implements prohibition, it suffers loss (of revenue) while neighboring states benefit out of this. All states should join in making prohibition a success. Though we have been talking about this since Gandhiji's times, nothing has been done," he said.