Central advisory council (CAC) of the JIH drew the attention of the government towards inflation, unemployment, rising communal hatred. It especially intrigued by the controversial hijab verdict.

NEW DELHI – Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s (JIH) central advisory council (CAC) voiced concerns over the issues bedeviling the nation including inflation, unemployment, rising communal hatred and Russia-Ukraine war. The CAC especially intrigued by the controversial verdict of the Karnataka High Court on hijab issue.

At a three-day session held by the CAC at the JIH headquarters in the National Capital deliberated and adopted resolutions on the aforementioned issues. JIH President Syed Sadatullah Husaini chaired the session.

Calling the Hijab verdict regrettable, the JIH pointed out its inherent contradictions.  “On the one hand, this verdict stands in sharp contrast with Article 15 of the Constitution of India (which secures discrimination on the grounds of religion) while on the other it violates other fundamental rights enshrined in Article 14 (right to equality), Article 19 (freedom of expression), Article 21 (privacy), and Article 25 (freedom of conscience), the resolution adopted by the CAC noted.

Underlining that women’s education is one of our country’s top priorities, the resolution said creating such barriers for female students in the name of uniform is detrimental to the country’s progress. This verdict, it pointed out has thrown a question before the female students to choose between hijab and education.

“Pushing daughters of the country in a situation where they are being forced to choose between education and dress as per their religion and conscience is a cause of distress to the conscientious citizens of the country. The court ought not to become entangled with what is essential and what is not essential in a religion. It is up to the Ulema and religious scholars to decide such an issue,” reads the resolution.

The JIH-CAC, however, expressed hope that the Supreme Court would restore the Muslim female students’ fundamental right to get education with their religious identity as soon as possible, by removing the confusion created by the lower court.

Expressing deep concern over the rising prices of essential commodities and unemployment, the JIH advisory council pointed out that after the Assembly elections in five states the prices of petrol and diesel have been increased many times, which has made the transportation of basic necessities costlier. In this context, the JIH demanded that the Government should bring petrol and diesel under GST, and restore the subsidy on cooking gas besides reducing tax rates tied over the crisis.

“There is an extraordinary increase in the price of cooking gas, pulses, rice and other articles of day to day use. The prices of milk, vegetables, cooking oil and bread, etc. are increasing fast.

“Similarly, the prices of medicines have also increased exponentially, making it very difficult for the common man to get medical treatment. It is no more among the priorities of the Government to provide facilities for the citizens by containing price rise. The unfair tax-rates, black marketing, hoarding, making economic policies under the pressure of capitalists’ interests and neglecting agriculture, agrarian economy and other key job-creating sectors are all equally responsible for inflation,” the resolution elaborated.

The JIH advisory council lamented that the rising unemployment in the country has made life of inflation-hit people further miserable. Despite the claims of the Union government neither new opportunities for employment have been created nor have the vacant seats in government institutions and companies been filled.

The JIH demanded that employment should be regarded as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, and the gap between rich and poor be bridged by effecting a just division of resources.

Expressing deep concern over the hatred being spread in the country in a well-planned manner, the JIH noted that whether it is political, educational or cultural sphere or even media broadcasts, communal hatred can be seen thriving everywhere. “To spread hatred in the country, history is being trampled upon, misconceptions are being dished out to impressionable minds, and there are also deliberate attempts to widely spread blatant lies and fake news,” they said.

At this critical juncture, the JIH CAC wished the right thinking sections of the society need to take immediate notice of the situation and work together to promote peace, development and brotherhood and eradicate communal hatred at all levels. “Especially interfaith leaders have the utmost responsibility in this regard,” it added.

Expressing grave concern over the Russia-Ukraine war, the JIH appealed the warring nations to declare an immediate ceasefire and settle their disputes by peaceful means through negotiations. It added, “It’s a matter of concern that the United Nations is not doing anything except adopting resolutions of condemnation.”

The JIH advisory council called upon the United Nations and the world powers to take concrete steps to prevent loss of lives and properties of civilians in the clash of interests of the major powers. It also urged the Indian Government to make effective use of its diplomatic influence for peace in the region.