Latest news with #JamiatUlema-e-Hind
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
19 years after he launched legal aid cell after son's arrest, Gulzar Azmi's fight ends in acquittal
It was the arrest of his two sons in 2005 that spurred septuagenarian Gulzar Azmi into action. Convinced that many young Muslim men were being falsely implicated in terror-related cases, Azmi set up a legal aid cell under the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, a prominent organisation of Islamic scholars to provide legal support to the accused and their families. Nineteen years later, that legal cell has achieved its most significant victory as the the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 men convicted by the special court in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. At first glance, Azmi, often seen clad in a lungi with traces of paan dribbling from the corners of his mouth, seemed an unlikely figure to have led the defence of over 500 Muslim men involved in 52 terror cases across the country. Yet, from a modest two-storey office tucked away in the narrow, congested lanes of Bhendi Bazaar's Imambada area, he built what would become a lifeline for hundreds of families whose members were arrested on terror-related charges. Visitors to the office would wind their way past tied-up goats and the aroma of Mughlai food from street caterers to meet Azmi — many of them seeking not just legal help, but also financial support. Born in 1934 in Mumbai, Azmi had a religious education and had been associated with the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind since the 1950s. He served the organisation in various capacities, helping launch developmental initiatives for the Muslim community. But his trajectory changed dramatically in 2005, when his sons Abrar, a perfume mixer, and Anwar, a construction site supervisor, were arrested under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for allegedly extorting money on behalf of underworld figure Faheem Machmach. While his sons were in jail, the 2006 Mumbai train blasts took place, followed by the Malegaon blasts in September that year. Azmi's personal ordeal deepened his belief that many terror arrests were based on flimsy or fabricated evidence. 'People would come to our office and complain that innocents were being arrested. I had myself suffered this injustice. I thought, if my innocent sons were framed, may be the police was doing the same with others as well,' Azmi told The Indian Express in an earlier interview. It was around this time that Shahid Azmi, a lawyer who would later be assassinated, approached the Jamiat with the idea of taking up legal defence in terror cases. Maulana Arshad Madni, president of the Jamiat, asked Gulzar Azmi to head the initiative. 'In 2006, 43 Muslims were arrested on terror charges in Maharashtra. Some of the families wanted to challenge the application of MCOCA. A lawyer agreed to take up the case for Rs 3 lakh, but the families couldn't raise the money. The petition eventually failed,' Azmi recalled. The Jamiat decided to step in. Through community donations and Zakat funds (religious alms given by Muslims), it began financing legal defences. Each year, the organisation spends between Rs 80 lakh to Rs 1 crore on these cases. Though the Jamiat maintains it only takes on cases after a thorough vetting process, only when it believes in the innocence of the accused, some of the individuals it has supported have been convicted. One such case is that of Muzammil Ansari from Malegaon, who was sentenced to life in prison for planting bombs in Mumbai. 'We are not naïve,' Azmi once said. 'We know the police often target individuals with links to SIMI. But let me tell you, these SIMI boys are only zabaan ke mard, loudmouths. They are not capable or intelligent enough to carry out such sophisticated operations. Just being a member of SIMI doesn't make someone a terrorist.' Azmi often cited his sons' case as proof of systemic abuse by investigative agencies. 'They spent two years, eight months, and 10 days in jail before being honourably acquitted. The court even permitted us to file a complaint against the officers who arrested them,' he said. Despite a special court convicting the 12 accused in the 7/11 train blasts in 2016, the Jamiat Lega Cell under Azmi's leadership continued its legal battle. The organisation enlisted some of India's top legal minds, including Yug Mohit Chaudhary, Senior Advocates Nitya Ramakrishnan, S. Nagamuthu, and Dr. S. Muralidhar to fight the case in the Bombay High Court. Azmi's activism also drew criticism and threats. BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar once called for a ban on the Jamiat, accusing it of underworld links. Underworld don Ravi Pujari even threatened to kill him. Gulzar Azmi passed away in August 2023 at the age of 89 before the High Court hearings began in mid-2024. Yet, his colleagues believe that the eventual acquittal of the 12 accused vindicates his life's mission. 'It was his aim to ensure that no innocent person ended up getting the wrong end of the stick,' said Shahid Nadeem, legal advisor to the Jamiat. 'Till his last days, he was involved in drafting the legal strategy for this case. He would have been very content with the verdict.'
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Appeal filed by Maulana Arshad Madani before IB Ministry seeking halt of 'Udaipur Files'
New Delhi [India], July 15 (ANI): A petition was filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani before the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on the Hindi movie 'Udaipur Files', which is based on tailor Kanhaiya Lal Teli's murder in Udaipur. The film was scheduled to be released on July 11. A day before its release, the Delhi High Court stayed the release of the film 'Udaipur Files' till the Centre decides the revision plea of the petitioners, including that of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President challenging the grant of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certification. Following the High Court's direction to file an appeal regarding the stay on the screening and reconsideration of the certificate issued by the Censor Board, Maulana Arshad Madani's lawyers on Monday submitted an appeal before the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is expected that the Ministry may hold a hearing on this application in the coming days. Meanwhile, the film's producer, Amit Jani has challenged the Delhi High Court's decision in Supreme Court of India. On the request of the film producer's lawyer, Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi assured that the petition will be heard. Maulana Arshad Madani also filed a caveat in Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, will represent Maulana Arshad Madani in Supreme Court. In the petition submitted to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on behalf of Maulana Arshad Madani, it has been stated that films like 'Udaipur Files' promote division within society and that the promotion of such a film will tarnish India's image globally. The petition further states that Hindus and Muslims have lived together peacefully in our country for centuries, and therefore, the screening of such films could pose a serious threat to communal harmony. It is emphasized that the entire film is based on hatred, and its exhibition could disturb the peace and harmony of the nation. The Government of India has also been reminded that in the past, India faced international embarrassment and condemnation due to the remarks made by Nupur Sharma. At that time, the Government of India had issued a diplomatic statement affirming that India respects all religions and communities and removed Nupur Sharma from her position as spokesperson as a consequence of her remarks. It was due to these actions that some of the mistrust toward India on international platforms was reduced, and the country's image saw a relative improvement. The Government of India has also been informed that the past and present conduct of the filmmaker, Amit Jani, is filled with instances of incitement and disruptive behavior. Secondly, the film presents fabricated content that has no connection with reality. It also depicts the character of Nupur Sharma, whose controversial statement sparked nationwide protests and international outcry. The petition further states that despite the removal of 55 scenes, the film still appears largely unchanged. It is argued that the promotion of this film could incite violence in the country. The petition emphasizes that this film is not in the national interest, and therefore, the certificate granted for its screening should be revoked. As per the Delhi High Court's directive, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must hear Maulana Arshad Madani's appeal and deliver a decision within one week. In the meantime, the ban on the film's release will remain in effect. (ANI)
Deccan Herald
04-06-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
Clerics urge Muslim community to follow govt guidelines for Eid sacrifice
In his message to Muslims, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani said that there is no substitute for sacrifice in Islam as it is a religious duty.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Clerics urge Muslim community to follow government guidelines for Eid sacrifice
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Muslim clerics on Wednesday (May 4, 2025) urged members of the community to strictly follow the government guidelines while performing sacrifice and avoid sharing pictures of slaughtered animals on social media. In his message to Muslims, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani said that there is no substitute for sacrifice in Islam as it is a religious duty. A person on whom sacrifice is obligatory must perform this obligation, he said. However, Mr. Madani said that in view of the current situation, it is important that Muslims take precautionary measures on their own and avoid advertising and sharing of pictures of slaughtered animals on social media. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Delhi, urged the Muslim community to refrain from performing animal sacrifices in open areas or on the streets. The festival is to be celebrated on June 7. Jamiat President Madani also urged Muslims to strictly follow the government guidelines while performing sacrifice, avoid the sacrifice of prohibited animals. He also said that if mischievous elements, at any place, prevent the sacrifice of a black animal (buffalo) also, influential people should take the administration into confidence, and then sacrifice should be offered. "If, however, there is no way to fulfil this religious obligation, then a sacrifice should be offered in a nearby place where there is no difficulty," he said. Advising Muslims to exercise patience and restraint in response to any provocative actions by communal elements, Madani stressed that such incidents should definitely be reported to the local police station. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Shaban Bukhari, advised people to ensure cleanliness in their localities during the festival. "Just as festivals like Holi and Diwali are celebrated with dignity across India, Eid-ul-Adha too should be observed with respect and reverence," the Imam said in a statement. Mr. Bukhari further emphasised that during the festival, the Muslim community must remain mindful of a few key responsibilities. "Most importantly, no act should hurt the sentiments or beliefs of fellow citizens. Therefore, sacrifices must be conducted only within private premises such as homes or designated enclosures - not on roads or in open spaces," he said. He also appealed to the community to refrain from photographing or filming the act of sacrifice and strictly advised against uploading such images or videos on social media. "Islam is a religion of peace, and it is our duty to demonstrate this through our conduct by ensuring that no one's emotions are harmed," the Imam said. Further advising the community to remember that Islam teaches respect for all religions and instructs its followers to never hurt others' sentiments, he asserted that the ritual of sacrifice must be performed in a manner that upholds the rule of law and maintains communal harmony.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Clerics urge Muslim community to follow government guidelines for Eid sacrifice
NEW DELHI: Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Muslim clerics on Wednesday urged members of the community to strictly follow the government guidelines while performing sacrifice and avoid sharing pictures of slaughtered animals on social media. In his message to Muslims, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani said that there is no substitute for sacrifice in Islam as it is a religious duty. A person on whom sacrifice is obligatory must perform this obligation, he said. However, Madani said that in view of the current situation, it is important that Muslims take precautionary measures on their own and avoid advertising and sharing of pictures of slaughtered animals on social media. The Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Delhi urged the Muslim community to refrain from performing animal sacrifices in open areas or on the streets. The festival is to be celebrated on June 7. Jamiat President Madani also urged Muslims to strictly follow the government guidelines while performing sacrifice, avoid the sacrifice of prohibited animals. He also said that if mischievous elements, at any place, prevent the sacrifice of a black animal (buffalo) also, influential people should take the administration into confidence, and then sacrifice should be offered. "If, however, there is no way to fulfil this religious obligation, then a sacrifice should be offered in a nearby place where there is no difficulty," he said.
