NEW DELHI: Prominent Muslim organisations, political leaders and intellectuals from across the country are scheduled to meet at New Delhi’s Constitution Club on July 24 to discuss issues affecting the Muslim community, including whether to launch a non-cooperation movement or consider boycotting elections, according to people familiar with the preparations.
The meeting has been convened amid growing concern among sections of the community over what participants describe as the failure of governments to deliver justice in cases involving Muslims. Organisers are also expected to discuss what they see as the inadequate response of opposition parties to these issues.
According to sources, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Samajwadi Party MP Mohibullah Nadvi and Muslim MPs from several political parties are expected to attend. Representatives of several Muslim organisations, including Maulana Arshad Madani, Maulana Mahmood Madani, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Jamaat-e-Ahle-Hadith and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, are also expected to participate.
The discussions are expected to cover a range of issues, including demolition drives involving mosques, madrasas and homes belonging to Muslims in different states, incidents of mob lynching, the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the closure of madrasas in Uttarakhand and other concerns raised by the community.
According to sources, one of the key agenda items will be whether the community should consider steps such as launching a non-cooperation movement or boycotting elections in response to what participants describe as a continued lack of justice.
The July 24 meeting follows a preparatory meeting held on July 10 at the office of the Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) in Nizamuddin West, Delhi. Those present included Salman Khurshid, SP MP Mohibullah Nadvi, Congress leader Danish Ali, former Justice Iqbal Ansari, Shahid Siddiqui and former Rajya Sabha MP Mohammad Adeeb.
Sources said the agenda for the July 24 meeting was finalised during the July 10 discussions. They added that while some participants expressed reservations about the proposal to boycott elections, others argued that if political parties claiming to be secular do not adequately raise issues concerning Muslims, the community should strengthen its own collective voice.
According to a source associated with the meeting, the gathering is scheduled to begin at 3 pm on July 24 at the Constitution Club in the national capital. (ANI)
