New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Vice President Malik Motassim Khan has strongly condemned the detention of 28 Bengali-speaking Muslims from Assam’s Barpeta district, who were declared foreigners by a Foreigners Tribunal. He criticized the labeling of these individuals as “illegal” and “doubtful voters,” calling the actions derogatory and dehumanizing for the Muslim community.

Khan stated, “We vehemently condemn the unjust treatment of these 28 Bengali-speaking Muslims, who were declared foreigners and sent to transit camps. This is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights and a clear example of selective application of the law.” He highlighted that most of the detainees come from poverty-stricken, marginalized backgrounds and were not provided with adequate legal representation, leading to their wrongful detention.

He also raised concerns about the functioning of the Foreigners Tribunals, claiming that their judgments are often arbitrary and politically motivated. “The targeting of Muslims, particularly Miya Muslims, in this process is disproportionate. While the Assam NRC identified two-thirds of those marked as foreigners as Hindus and one-third as Muslims, the enforcement has overwhelmingly targeted Muslims,” Khan remarked.

He demanded the immediate release of the 28 detainees and a halt to the ongoing proceedings before the Foreigners Tribunals. “This is not due process of law and goes against India’s judicial principles,” Khan emphasized.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has pledged legal and moral support to the affected individuals, calling on civil society and the media to raise awareness of this issue and demand justice.