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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘I was in jail with RSS leaders… People tried to hear each other out then': Jamaat leader
Fifty years after he was jailed during the Emergency, Ejaz Ahmed Aslam, 82, says he has clear memories of the 19 months he spent in prison. He met his third daughter for the first time at Madras Central Jail, where his wife brought their newborn child just 40 days after her birth. A resident of Tamil Nadu then, Aslam headed the North Arcot district unit of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a socio-religious organisation he had joined when he was 15. Maulana Muhammad Jafar, a member of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind's Central Advisory Council, says the organisation was 'misunderstood' by the Indira Gandhi government, 'which is why its workers were arrested'. While eight Jamaat members were arrested in Tamil Nadu, around 3,000 of its members were imprisoned across India during the Emergency. Sitting at the Jamaat office in Delhi, wearing a crisp white kurta-pyjama, a grey Nehru jacket and a fur cap, Aslam says, 'Once the Emergency was announced, I was put in Madras Central Jail along with other political workers and leaders of the Jamaat, CPI, CPI(M) and DMK. It was a difficult time for my wife, who was nearly eight months pregnant when I was sent to jail. She had had to take care of two young children — a four-year-old and a two-year-old — alone at home. Three months later, I saw my newborn daughter in jail. I can never forget that day. Aslam is the editor-in-chief of Radiance Views Weekly, a 61-year-old magazine supported by the Jamaat. Of the 19 months he spent in jail, Aslam says he was fortunate that his family was very supportive since many others didn't have that liberty and struggled. However, an incident haunts him to this day. 'As I was being taken away by the police to the local station, my eldest daughter Ayesha (then four years old) started running after me. The policeman who arrested me told me later that she was crying.' Born in Karnataka's Hassan district in 1943, Aslam grew up in Bihar's Muzaffarpur after his father shifted there in 1954 to work at a sugar mill. In 1969, Aslam got his master's degree in English literature from L S College in Muzaffarpur. Later, he went on to become a lecturer at C Abdul Hakeem College in Tamil Nadu's Melvisharam. After teaching there for two years, Aslam, then 28, got married and shifted to Tamil Nadu's Vaniyambadi, where his father-in-law had a leather business. Aslam started working with his father-in-law and also became more active within the Jamaat, which, he says, influenced his way of life since he was a teen. During his initial days in jail, Aslam says the political prisoners were sure that they would all be 'released soon'. However, three to four months passed without any signs of their imminent release. 'That's when the fear and anxiety in jail started going up. People started fearing that their incarceration would become permanent. Psychological issues started impacting political prisoners. There was a shift in thinking among the prisoners,' he says. Calling Madras Central jail a 'notorious site of brutality' during the Emergency, he recalls one particular case. 'I was in prison with C Chittibabu, the former Mayor of Chennai. He had sustained injuries during a brutal lathi-charge. At the time of the attack, Chittibabu had been trying to protect a young M K Stalin from an attack inside a prison cell. He would succumb to his injuries later.' Maulana Muhammad Jafar says the Emergency 'proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Jamaat' because its imprisoned office-bearers had the opportunity to interact with people in jails. Jafar adds, 'These very people became leaders and a part of the government later. They came to know the Jamaat much better (during their jail term), and all their doubts and misunderstandings were cleared.' On why the Jamaat workers were arrested during the Emergency, Aslam says, 'We did nothing illegal and our accounts were open to the government. We were working on education, Hindu-Muslim harmony and other social issues.' Aslam says his prison barracks had several RSS workers, including Rangasamy Thevar, then Tamil Nadu chief for the outfit. 'It was a different time. People tried to understand each other's ideology and engage with one another. I remember having long discussions with Thevar,' he says. One statement made by Thevar has stayed with him. He says, 'Thevar said, 'India is such a country that any unscrupulous person can rule India for any period of time'. I liked this quote very much, and I have used it in my writings too.'
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind serves legal notice on M.V. Govindan over remark on Pahalgam attack
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Kerala chapter has served a legal notice on M.V. Govindan, State secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), for one of his statements against the organisation. Shihab Pookottur, State secretary, JIH, quoted Mr. Govindan as saying on June 14 that JIH was a prominent organisation that had not taken a stand against the Pahalgam attack. Citing a statement by Syed Sadatullah Husaini, national president, JIH, condemning the attack, Mr. Pookottur said that Mr. Govindan was trying to create political mileage in the Nilambur by-election by inducing Islamophobia through a fake campaign. The attempt was to paint a Muslim organisation as anti-national and dangerous and create communal polarisation and discord among Hindu and Christian communities, Mr. Pookottur said. Demanding a compensation of ₹1 crore, he said that Mr. Govindan need to correct his statement and issue a public apology.
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Hyderabad in fragments: a city's story told in micro-histories
Hyderabad's rich, layered history has long captivated writers and scholars. But with Telangana marking its 11th anniversary on June 2, there is a renewed interest around the State and its capital city, which has been shaped by dynasties, cultural syncretism and centuries of transformation. Tapping into this growing interest, author Daneesh Majid's new book, The Hyderabadis: From 1947 to the Present Day, paints a nuanced portrait of the city, weaving together micro-narratives of its people. Majid profiles families displaced by Operation Polo and its bloody aftermath, chronicling lives that were once comfortable but later upended, at times by the very hands that had once served them. The book presents diverse perspectives: from those who opposed the Razakars, to the story of a Hindu woman, heartbroken that her Hyderabad had fallen. Majid also turns his gaze outside India, tracing the lives of expatriates who spent several decades in West Asian countries, which became their second home. Upon returning, they had to rebuild their lives in a city that was rapidly changing. Through these different stories, he captures different lived experiences. He also seeks to reconcile the often divergent narratives many of which continue to carry political overtones. 'There was a lot of literature on the Partition which was evocative, but I found that the stories of Hyderabadis weren't many,' Majid says. 'Micro-history, which is about asking the big questions in smaller places, outside the corridors of power, these narratives are sometimes contrary to — let's say — mainstream histories. There is some truth in both narratives. And this is why micro-histories are important: they offer nuanced perspectives.' In the chapter 'From Jagirdar to Jamaati', Majid records the story of Omar Farooq Quadri, a student whose family fled Bamini in Marathwada on account of Operation Polo. They first sought refuge in rural Telangana and later moved to Hyderabad. A change in the family's fortunes turned them from landlords to paupers, even as a family member became a dervish. While 'Qadri' indicates either Sufi lineage or affiliation, the family had to change course spiritually. 'The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind played a crucial role in rehabilitating them socio-economically in Hyderabad. Omar is now a student leader at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. What struck me was that he is one of the few students from Hyderabad in place where one finds people largely from Kashmir, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,' Majid notes. Through the story of Narayan Raj Saxena, the great-grandson of Bansi Raja, a close aide of sixth Nizam Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, Majid illustrates how the Kayasth community has been an inalienable part of Hyderabad's history. 'He witnessed the tumultuous period of 1948. He saw Hyderabad change with his own eyes. There are few now who are well enough to remember,' says Majid. 'The Kayasthas were skilled administrators in the Nizam's government and were great with languages. They knew Persian, and when the official language changed to Urdu in the 1880s, they mastered that too.' Post-1948, some Muslim families moved to Pakistan. Ali Adil Khan, one of Majid's subjects, was born in Hyderabad in the 1960s during one of his parents' visits to the city from Pakistan. His father, Mohammed Anwar Ali, had left for Karachi on August 14, 1950. In 1948, when his grandfather Ishaq Ali was posted in Bidar, Operation Polo was launched. While Ishaq Ali was in Hyderabad, his family was still in Bidar. It was a Hindu neighbour who arranged for their safe passage to Hyderabad. However, Majid deliberately steers clear of discussing mainstream politics. For instance, the complex history of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, now led by the Owaisi brothers, is largely missing. While he does mention Abid Ali Khan, the influential Hyderabadi journalist, who co-founded Siasat Daily, the tussle between the heads — past and present — of these two power centres of Muslim politics does not find a place in the narrative.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Jamaat condemns incidents of violence against Muslims
The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a leading Muslim body, has said that recent incidents of violence against minorities are 'highly disturbing'. Referring to an incident in Aligarh where an angry mob accused four Muslim men of transporting beef and allegedly stripped them, and beat them with belts and sticks, the Jamaat vice-president Malik Motasim Khan said, 'It's highly disturbing but even more shocking is that the police registered cases against both the attackers and the victims under the Cow Slaughter Act. This is a total miscarriage of justice. Such actions embolden anti-social elements.' The police had earlier filed complaints against 38 people in the assault case under Sections 191(2) (rioting), 191(3) (unlawful assembly), 190 (unlawful assembly to commit an offence), 109 (attempt to murder), 308 (extortion), 310(2) (robbery) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A meat sample was sent to a laboratory in Mathura. Following its examination, it was found that the meat was not beef. According to Mr. Khan, the Aligarh incident is not an isolated case of violence against the community members. 'India has witnessed a disturbing pattern of mob lynchings and hate crimes against Muslims, Dalits, and other marginalised groups in recent years, often under the guise of cow protection or love jihad. From the lynching of Abdul Rahiman in Bantwal, Karnataka, to the brutal killing of Ashraf in Mangaluru, to communal clashes in Nagpur and the targeted harassment of Kashmiri Muslims across the country, these incidents are a stain on our nation's conscience. Despite the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling against mob lynching, compliance remains patchy, and accountability is rare,' he said. Also read | Demolition squad: On the Supreme Court and 'bulldozer justice' The Jamaat vice-president reiterated the organisation's demand for strict enforcement of anti-lynching provisions. 'The fear of the law needs to be reinforced, and a climate of impunity dismantled. The targeting of Muslims not only erodes the fabric of our secular democracy but also threatens India's unity and security. The government must act swiftly, hold the perpetrators accountable, ensure the safety of minorities, and restore public faith in justice and the rule of law,' he said. The Jamaat also condemned what it called 'bulldozer injustice'. 'The Jamaat condemns the ongoing illegal and inhumane demolitions of Muslim properties, homes, and educational institutions, particularly the recent bulldozer actions in Uttar Pradesh.' Mr. Khan highlighted the alleged singling out of madrasas or Islamic seminaries for punitive action. 'A recent fact-finding visit by a JIH delegation to districts like Bahraich and Shravasti revealed that several madrasas with valid registrations and approval have been sealed or demolished without due process, violating the fundamental rights of Muslim citizens. These demolitions, often justified under the guise of 'law and order' or 'illegal construction', disproportionately target minorities, especially Muslims. The practice of using bulldozers as instruments of punishment without trial or due process has turned the police and administration into judge, jury, and executioner. This is a clear violation of constitutional norms and a grave threat to our democratic fabric,' he said, adding, 'The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind reiterates the Supreme Court observation that 'properties cannot be demolished merely because they belong to a person accused of a crime'. We urge the administration to adhere to the guidelines issued by the apex court to uphold the rule of law by preventing arbitrary demolitions.' Also read | 75% of hate speech events in BJP-ruled States: Report Mr. Khan alleged that 'demolition drives often take place in the aftermath of incidents of communal violence, where minority homes and institutions are selectively targeted, while the perpetrators of violence enjoy complete impunity. These actions create an environment of fear and insecurity within the Muslim community'. He demanded an immediate halt to bulldozer actions and sought accountability of officials responsible for demolition.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Welcomes Ceasefire, Calls for Sustained Peace Efforts
Nagpur: President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Syed Sadatullah Husaini has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between India and a statement to the media, JIH president said, "We welcome the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. It is a positive and much-needed development that offers a ray of hope for peace and stability in the region. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those individuals, civil society groups, and national and international organisations who consistently advocated for peace, de-escalation, and restraint during heightened tensions. In a charged atmosphere, their voices served as a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding human dignity and preserving life."Syed Sadatullah further said, "We also express our sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the conflict. We urge govt of India to provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and to address the loss of livelihood and property suffered by civilians and communities, especially those living in border areas."As this ceasefire ushers in a new chapter, we believe sustained peace can only be ensured through efforts to institutionalise dialogue and diplomacy. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind reiterates its commitment to peace, justice, and harmony, and urges both nations to build upon this ceasefire to enable enduring stability, mutual respect, and cooperation in the region and to take concrete steps to make the region fully free from information was provided by Dr MA Rasheed, media secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Nagpur. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
