Pawar slams arrests of Muslim youths for alleged ISIS links

NCP chief calls the action random and arbitrary; clarifies he is opposed to scrapping Atrocities Act, but is against its misuse

Former union minister and Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Tuesday strongly criticised the recent arrests by state Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Muslim youths from the Marathwada region and other parts of Maharashtra for their alleged links with ISIS terming it random and arbitrary. He announced that he will discuss the issue with the secular and like minded parties and later take it up with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop such arrests and also evolve a comprehensive strategy to handle ISIS activities.

''Despite muslim organisations condemning ISIS, youths are being arrested in Marathwada region and other parts. About 24 organisations in their representation alleged that youths were detained illegally without producing them in 24 hours before the magistrate. In some cases for days together youths were not produced before the magistrate. The police should not do so and there should be fast trial of such cases,'' Pawar said. He reminded in some cases muslim youths were freed after 8 to 9 years but by the time they had wasted their crucial years.

On the abolition of The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Pawar said he had never made any demand in this regard. However, he insisted that it should not be misused. ''In some of the cases, which were brought to my notice, the provisions of The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were used by rivals groups from the upper class to settle scores. There was no misuse from the Dalit community. Recently, the parliament has amended the Act. My only submission is that its misuse be avoided,'' he noted. He went on to add that the government agencies should not misuse any acts.

Pawar was responding two days after he was targeted by various political parties on this issue.

Further, Pawar said his party is in the favour of reservation to economically backward muslim and maratha communities. However, he clarified it should be done without disturbing the present reservation quota provided to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.

On the massive protest march being organised by the Maratha community across the state, Pawar said he was not providing any support for the same. "Whatever I saw on TV, the college going youths participating in such protest march were demanding reservation for Maratha community and stoppage of misuse of Atrocities Act. The government should not overlook such massive mobilization but discuss with them to know what is in their mind,'' he opined.