July - 2014

National Unity
Communal Amity
Cultural Identity
Social Justice
Rule of Law
Dignifed Democracy Volume : 4 Issue - 6 RAMALAN July - 2014 Pages - 8 Monthly Price : Rs. 10/- Annual Subscription : Rs. 120/-
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
Postal Registration No : TN/CNI GPO / 051 / 2012 to 2014 / RNI No. TNENG/2011/40521
Dispel the fear of Minority
Excerpts from E. Ahameds Maiden Speech in 16th Parliament
SHRI E. AHAMED (MALAPPURAM): Madam Chairperson, we have
been discussing the Address of the hon. President and various points
of views have been raised by various sections of the House. I would
just like to say that I have the time constraint, therefore, I have to
be as short as possible. However, I would mention two-three points
over here.
I would just like to say that my Party is here in this House
since 1952. From 1952, we had been functioning as an
opposition Party till 2004 and then for ten years, we had
the opportunity to be in the ruling party. But we always
have been functioning as an opposition party. Whenever
we have to support the Government, we support it but
it is also our duty to oppose whenever the Government
goes against our policies.
Therefore, during the time of Atal
Behariji, we had supported the
Government especially on the issues
of national security and foreign policy as a constructive
opposition. We also opposed wherever we had to oppose. But from
2004, for 10 years we had been in the ruling alliance.
During that time also we had been functioning as a party which did
good things for the people of this country. Now we are in
the Opposition. It is our duty to function as a constructive
Opposition during this time. I do not want to take much
of the valuable time of the House to discuss all those
matters. I would only like to say that my party has the
onerous responsibility towards the community that I
represent, namely, the minority community in this
country.
Muslims
form the largest section of
minority community in India. We consider the Muslims here as a
national minority. It is the duty of every Government to provide a sense
of security to this section of people. I urge the Government that it may
take adequate and proper steps to instil a sense of security in the minds
of the people belonging to the minority community as they are also an
integral part of the population in this country.
(Continued on Page No. 5)
(Continued on Page No. 2)
The IUML Working Committee
Meeting was held in Kumbakonam
in Tamil Nadu on June 21,
2014. The meeting was presided
over by the party president
Prof:K.M.Khader Mohideen. In
his presidential address he said
that it was the right time for the
party men to do self introspection
and to study the causes for the
debacle of the party in the recently
concluded parliament election in
the state. He exhorted the party
workers to toil for strengthening
the party from the gross root level.
No amount of talk would make
any change if not accompanied
IUML TAMIL NADU
WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING DEMANDS
* Withdrawal of railway fare hike
* Implementation of proportional representation system
* Stop attack on Sri Lankan Muslims
by hard work with deep sense of dedication and
determination, he said.He lamented over the lack
of adequate support from the Alliane Partner
the DMK that resulted the defeat of IUML candidate in
Vellore Parliamentary constituency. He advised the party
July - 2014
2
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
workers to enroll more members to the party and
to spare no efforts in making the the party as a
power to recon with in the Tamil Nadu politics.
The Working Committee passed the
following resolutions
1.Thanks to the voters
The committee expresses its gratitude to
the Tamil Nadu voters for voting to the DMK led
democratic Progressive Front candidates in the
State of Tamil Nadu.It is heartening to note that the
Muslim community on the advice of IUML, voted
overwhelmingly to the Democratic Progressive
Candidates .The working committee conveys its
deep sense of gratitude to the Muslim community
Mohallah Jamath and Muslim Ulemas. The
Committee conveys its thanks to the DMK President
Dr.Kaligner, party treasurer M.K.Stalin for their
hectic campaign in favour of the IUML candidate
M.Abdul Rahman in Vellore constituence and to all
the alliance party leaders and IUML offce bearers,
workers and to all the voters .
2 Congradulates IUML M.Ps.
The Working Committee congradulates the
IUML National President E.Ahamed and E.T.Basheer
for their astounding victory in the Parliament
election from Malapuram and Ponnani in Kerala.
3. Stop attack on Sri Lanka Muslims
The Working Committee condemns the
attack on Sri Lanka Muslims by Bodu Bala Sena.The
Committee demands the Sri Lankan Govt.to take
adequate necessary steps to stop the occurance of
such incdents in the future.
4. Withdraw railway fare hike
The Committee demands the withdrawal
of the railway fare hike which is contrary to the
promise made by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
5.Stop imposition of Hindi
The Committee strongly opposes the imposition
of Hindi through the social media and such an act
the committee apprehends will lead to disturb peace
and tranquillity in Non-Hindi speaking states. Hence
the committee appeals to stop the imposition of Hindi
forthwith.
6. Proportional representation system
The committee strongly endorses the view
that in a largest democracy like India proportional
representation electoral system alone will provide
adequate representation to all the sections of the society
and hence the committee demands the introduction of
proportional representation electoral system in our
country.
7.Enrolment of new members in IUML
The committee asks all the primaries to enrol
new members to ensure the conduct of election to the
various party posts before the end of December 2014.
8. Ramalaan Services
The Committee requests all the members of the
party to pay full attention to serve the Muslims during
the month of Ramalaan including provision for iftaar,
sahar, distribution of ftra rice and getting scholarship
to the poor and needy.
9. Prevent violence and preserve peace
The Committee strongly affrms that terrorism
has no caste, religion and it is highly deplorable to
identify terrorism with the caste and religion. It is
unjustifable and against the ethics of press code to
jump to blame a particular community for all the acts
of terrorism without conducting proper investigation
and trial. The Committee strongly condemns the killing
of Hindu Munnani activist Suresh Kumar in Thiruvallur
District in Tamil Nadu. The Committee appeals the State
Government to take all the measures to maintain peace
and tranquillity in the state.
(Continue... from Page No. 1)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday greeted the
nation on the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
As Ramzan (Ramadan) begins, I convey my
greetings and pray that the holy month brings peace
and happiness in everyones life, Modi said in a tweet.
Ramadan fasts started Monday after the sighting of
the moon Sunday night.
Modi greets nation on Ramadan
conveys
Hearty
Ramadan
Mubarak to
all its Readers
and
Well-wishers.
July - 2014
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
3
Ghulam Mehood Banatwallah
The Legendary Muslim League Leader
Indian Union Muslim Leaues
(IUML) President respected
Mr.Ghulam Mehmood Banatwalla
was born on 15th August, 1933
into a middle class Catchi Memon
family in Mumbai. His fore-fathers
were native of Cutch. (Now in
Gujarat State). A gifted student,
he obtained his B.Ed and M.Com.,
from S.T.College & Sydenhanm
College of Commerce and
Economics, Mumbai, respectively.
After graduation, he worked as
a teacher and lecturer. He was
married to Dr.Ayesha Banatwalla
in 1960.
From an early age he showed
a natural acumen for social
activitism & participated in several
related activities. He became the
president of the Cutchi Memon
Students circle, Mumbai in 1954 &
was later elected as the head of the
Cutchi Memon Jamat. Throughout
1950s & 1960s, he served in
various capacities in organizations
as diverse as Muslim Ambulance
Society, Anjuman-i-Islam Board
for Commercial Education,Aligarh
Muslim University Court,
Maharashtra State Integration
Committee, Bombay Metropolitan
Regional Development Board
and Justice of Peace. He quit his
teaching profession to be full time
in politics.
He served two terms as a
councilor of the Bombay Municipal
Corporation.
He was elected to the Maharashtra
Legislative Assembly in 1967 on
the Indian Union Muslim League
ticket and remained an M.L.A. until
1977. He was a vocal, and often
the lone advocate of Muslim issues
there. When a resolution to make
a family planning compulsory was
introduced in the house Banatwalla
was the lone member to oppose it.
He said no one should be forced to
undergo sterilization and that only
Muslims would be made the special
targets of such schemes. A motion
By: Farooq Abdul Gaffar Bawani (Gujarat)
to introduce the bill was passed
unanimously with only Banatwalla
in opposition. He stood like a
rock. But due to the uproar over
the barbarity of such campaigns
in North India the proposal was
quietly buried.
Mr.Banatwalla Saheb always
highlighted the due straits that
the states Muslims had fallen
since independence. Armed with
statistics he made impassioned
pleas for the welfare of Muslims.
He made his foray into national
politics by contesting from Ponnani
Constituency in Kerala in 1977. He
won with a thumping majority even
though he did not speak Malayalam
and did not actively campaign in
Parliamentary Constituency. He
delivered his speeches in English
and became increasingly popular
among the masses. Voters trusted
him so much that they elected
him six times more. This speaks
volumes about acceptability in his
constituency.
In the Parliamnet, Banatwalla
worked overtime and was one of
the few members who drafted
their own speeches and questions.
His oratory impressed everyone.
He was often seen studying in the
library.
The issue of minority
character of the Aligarh Muslim
University (AMU) was close to his
heart & he had introduced a bill in
the Parliament for its restoration.
He had made a forceful protest
over police fring on AMU Student
demonstrators in 1979.
His most memorable
role in the Parliament was his
introduction of the Shariat Bill
in March 1985 which sought to
exclude Muslims from the secular
law of maintenance. The Govt.
of India persuaded Banatwalla to
withdraw his bill and introduced
its own Muslim Women Protection
of Rights on Divorce Bill which was
passed into legislation in 1986 and
achieved the desired result.
He was an active member &
leader of the Babri Masjid Action
Committee. He offered his defence
on the Babri Masjid issue in a
small book titled Babri Masjid-
Ram Janmabhoomi, Controversy
Analyzed.
Banatwallas pointed remarks
against the BJP & the RSS made
him a special target of the latter.
He was also one of frst MPs to seek
a ban on Rushdies blasphemous
novel Satanic Verses in India.
In the aftermath of the
demolition of Babri Masjid, his
friend & colleague, Ebrahim
Suleiman Sait left the party.
Banatwalla stayed put with the
IUML & worked to strengthen it.
In 1993, he assumed the mantle
of presidency of the league. In
those trying times, he helped the
party navigate its way served as a
role model for the emerging young
leadership.
In his last stint in the parliament
as an MP of the 13th Lok Sabha,
Banatwalla continued his work.
He presented a total of 25 private
members bills, 141 starred and
unstarred questions and 182
interventions during debates. His
advocacy was not just limited
to Muslims issues, but included
universal issues like Right to work,
Custodial deaths and Protection of
farmers.
Outside the Parliament, he
presented the Muslim Cause on
various forums including the
India Today conclave in 2006 in
which he squared off with likes
Subramanian Swamy, a diehard
Hindu Communalist and Pravin
Togadia, a fre-brand Vishva Hindu
Parishad leader and both Muslim-
hater.
A voracious reader and a gifted
writer Banatwalla was the author of
several books, booklets including
Religion & Politics in India, Muslim
League Azadi ke Baad.
Any serious student can write
a thesis on Late Banatwalla
Saheb after reading his select
Parliamentary speeches and can
get Ph.D. from reputed University.
Mr. Banatwalla Saheb passed
away on June, 25, 2008 in Mumbai
following a brief illness. He was
74. The great leaders funeral took
place on 26th June in Cutchi Memon
graveyard, Mumbai. Thousands of
people attended his funeral rites
& gathered at his residence in
Mumbai for condolence.
A number of social & political
leaders including The President,
The Vice-President, The Prime
Minister, Chief Ministers of several
states, Heads of Political Parties,
MPs, MLAs paid tributes to Late
Banatwalla Saheb and described
him as an illustrious personality
and a respected leader of the
people.
At a condolence meeting
organized in Delhis Constitution
Club by IUML General Secretary
and MoS External Affairs,
Mr.E.Ahamed, extremely rich
tributes were paid to the departed
leader.
This is high time our
political & community leaders
realized the need of disciplined
and clean politics as well as selfess
service to the nation. He was a
bold, gifted & outspoken voice in
& outside the Parliament.
July - 2014
4
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
Ambassadors / Heads of
Mission & High Commissioners
representing Muslim nations in
Sri Lanka :- Bangladesh, Iran,
Iraq, Egypt, Indonesia, Kuwait
Malaysia, Maldives, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Palestine, Turkey, UAE,
Saudi Arabia and Qatar met
President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
Temple Trees and declared that
all Sri Lanka Sinhala Buddhists
will stand to lose their jobs in
these nations and other barriers
would be placed on Sri Lanka
immediately. During this meeting
the UAE Ambassador had cited
that his government is of belief
that the Presidents brother and
Secretary of Defence: Gothabhaya
Rajapaksa and the Military is
closely aligned with the racial
elements that are behind the Anti
Muslim sentiments and violence
spreading nationwide. Theyve
expressed their dissatisfaction and
warned him of the current Anti
Muslim riots in the country, while
a pensive and silent President
had been reported to have been
nodding and smiling continuously.
This emergency
meeting had been urged
by the Islamic Nations
Diplomatic Community
after the President had
openly made racially
threatening comments
to one of his Cabinet
Ministers at the Weekly
Cabinet Meeting. The
President had burst into
a rage when a Muslim Cabinet
Minister had questioned his
inaction towards those responsible
for the recent riots and mob attacks
against Muslims and Muslim
establishments which started in
Aluthgama last week and has now
spread nation wide.
Ambassadors / Heads of
Mission & High Commissioners
representing Muslim nations in
Sri Lanka had been gathered by
Cabinet Minister Rauf Hakeem,
who gave an excellent exposure
on Al-Jazeera TV now seen on Face
Book /YouTube.The Diplomats had
warned President Rajapaksa that if
the Anti Muslim Riots and Attacks
Island wide are not stopped, there
will be severe repercussions on him
and his government diplomatically
and economically.
Since the outburst of riots
last week, all Arab and Islamic
countries have placed an indefnite
Travel Ban on Sri Lanka. During
the last two years Arab tourism
has signifcantly contributed to
Sri Lankas Tourism revenue.
Amongst, other benefts Sri Lanka
enjoys from Muslims nations are
that the Islamic countries loyalty
and gratitude at the recent UN
resolutions, Sri Lankas Highest
Foreign exchange earner is from
expatriate labour employment
remittances from the Middle east
Muslim Nations Gather to Pressurize President Rajapaksa
UAE Ambassador mentions of Gotas connections with Extremists
and other Muslim Countries. This
has been the sole provider for Sri
Lankas foreign reserves. As the
latter two being Apparel and Tea
and controlled by Private Business
enterprises and are subject to
under invoicing frauds which keeps
most of the revenue in foreign
bank accounts to avoid taxation.
If any restrictions are placed in the
area of Sri lankan Labour in the
Middle East and Muslim Countries,
the economic results on Sri Lanka
will be disastrous, plunging the
country economic strife overnight.
In last year alone almost US$ 2
Billion in Grant Aid were provided
Sri Lanka for development
projects in the areas of Education,
Medical and Health Care. It was
also brought to the Presidents
notice that if Islamic countries
place restrictions of supplying oil
on special terms, Sri lanka will be
compelled to Import from Russia
only which the Price of a Barrel of
Crude oil is over three times the
price of Arab oil.
IUML National General
Secretary and Tamil Nadu State
President Prof. K.M. KaderMohideen
announced that the party would
lead a goodwill delegation to Sri
Lanka under the party National
President E.Ahamed to study the
plight of Tamil speaking Muslims
affected by the recent riots in the
island state.
While addressing a press-meet in
Kumbakonam after the conclusion
of the party Working committee
meeting he said that it was good
for both India and Sri Lanka to live
as good neighbours,harbouring no
enemity and hatred whatsoever.
The recent attacks on Muslims
by Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) in
Kalanthurai district resulted in the
death of four Muslims and many
wounded.Many mosques were
vandalized and muslim properties
were looted.Prof:K.M.Khader
mohideen led a delegation to Sri
Lankan Deputy High Commission
in Chennai and submitted a
memorandum to the Sri Lankan
President through the Deputy
High Commissioner., demanding
protection to the life and property
IUML TO LEAD GOOD-WILL DELEGATION TO SRI LANKA
of the Tamil speaking Muslims in Sri
Lanka. A similar appeal was made
by the party president E.Ahamed
to Sri Lanka President through
the Sri Lanka Ambassador in New
Delhi and the Indian Ambassdor in
Colombo.
The party has applied for
permission to the Sri Lankan High
Commission in Chennai and is
awiting for reply.Prof:K.M.Khader
Mohideen said the delegation
apart from visiting the riot
affected places would call on the
Sri Lankan President Mahinda
Rajapakese and would meet the
representatives of Muslims and
Singhala organisations. He said
the delegation would also discuss
the plight of Tamil Nadu fsher men
with the Sri Lankan President.
Prof:K.M.Khader Mohideen Announces
Prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen presents a memoradum to the
Deputy High Commissioner of Srilanka, Chennai.
July - 2014
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
5
There is also a mention of
inclusive growth in the Address
of the hon. President. Inclusive
growth takes into account every
section of the people including the
minority community. Therefore, I
urge the Government to take into
account the fear psychosis that has
been generated in the minds of a
large section of people belonging to
the minority in various parts of the
country. There have been reports
of communal violence on a regular
basis after the new Government
has taken over. There was a report
of the death of a student from
the North East in Delhi. Our hon.
Prime Minister, before he took over
as Prime Minister, has condemned
the act as a national shame and
we all share his sentiments. At the
same time I would like to say that
only recently an innocent techie,
namely, Mohasin Sheikh was killed
by some Hindutva groups in Pune.
It was a matter of shame for our
country. The international media
has given adverse publicity. I
would like to take this opportunity
to mention to this Government that
such incidents should be curbed,
controlled and stopped, then only
India can be very proud of the fact
that this is a country that gives
protection to all sections of the
society. There was a brutal attack
on the innocent techie and he lost
his life. Such incidents should not
take place.
There is also an immediate need
for commitment that violence
against marginalised and the
minorities would not be tolerated.
Our country has a name in the
comity of nations as a vibrant
democracy in the world. This
country values human rights and
this country is being considered
for a membership in the Security
Council of the United Nations.
These are all the qualifcations for
our country. Therefore, there is a
need for immediate commitment
that violence against the people
belonging to the marginalised
sections and the minorities will be
stopped.
I would also like to bring to the
attention of this august House that
there is a very poor representation
of the Muslim community in the
Government and Public Sectors.
Thirteen to fourteen percent of
the population of this country does
not have adequate and proper
representation in the Government
and public sectors.
This also should be the concern
of the ruling Government, namely,
to give representation to all
sections of the people including
the largest minority of the country
of which we are all proud of. India
is one country having the largest
Muslim population in this country.
No other country can be proud of
this fact. We are proud of this fact.
At the same time, their legitimate
rights and aspirations must be
taken into consideration.
I would like to mention one
more point. In the Presidents
Address, many things have been
mentioned. International matters
and our relationship with various
countries and regions have been
mentioned. But unfortunately,
I do not fnd even a mention of
Gulf countries with which we have
very close relationship. Six million
people of our country are living
there. They are working there.
They are our blood and fesh. Most
of their income is being sent back
to India. The Gulf countries have
even helped us to have stability in
foreign exchange also.
I would just mention that during
the last few decades, countries in
the Gulf have grown very much
economically. We have been
partners with the Gulf countries
for our economic progress. Today,
we have strategic partnership
with most of the countries in the
region covering economy, security,
defence, energy and a host of
diverse areas. We have developed
a deeper engagement with these
countries to such an extent that
any development in the region
itself has its impact on our country.
With these countries, we maintain
regular high level exchanges,
economic exchanges, constant
security dialogues and promotion
of people-to people exchange.
I am very sorry to say that such
an important Region has been
omitted in the Presidents Address.
I would be very frank to say
that the hon. Minister for External
Affairs, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj
has mentioned a very good thing.
This Government is trying to give
priority to eight to eleven items
and we are happy about it. Let us
hope that this Government will be
able to implement those priorities.
Only by talking about them and
mentioning them in the Presidents
Address will not suffce. If these
priorities are implemented by this
Government, we will also be happy
about it.
With these few words, I thank
you.
Dispel the fear of Minority.... (Cont. from 1 Page)
It is a spring of good deeds,
a month of fasting, devotion,
compassion, generosity, forgiveness
and repentance. And Indias 140
million Muslims, who constitute
the worlds third-largest Muslim
population, observe Ramadan with
both devotion and fervour.
Ramadan, the ninth month
of Islamic calendar that began
Thursday is the holy month during
which Muslims observe roza (fast),
one of the fve tenets of Islam.
The fasting is obligatory for all
adult Muslims except those who
are ill and travelling. During the
fast, observed every day from dawn
to sunset, Muslims refrain from
consuming any food or water or
engaging in sexual relations.
Muslims try to move closer to
the Almighty Allah, seeking His
forgiveness and mercy by daily
offering namaz fve-times and
also additional namaz during night
like Taraweeh and Tahajjud and
reading of the holy Quran.
Ramadan a month of devotion and compassion
By fasting, we thank Allah for
giving us the Quran, which was
revealed during this holy month.
This is a complete guidance not
just for Muslims but for the entire
humanity, Sultan Mohiuddin, head
of Jamaat-e-Islamis Nampally unit
in Hyderabad, told IANS.
Fasting teaches man self-control
and patience. By abstaining from
things which are allowed in other
days, we practice how to control
ourselves in other days when there
is something which we like but is
harmful to the society and which our
Creator has prohibited, Mohiuddin
added.
The mans patience is put to
test when he fasts. When a man
doesnt eat, it develops a sense of
anger within and he is more likely to
fght with others but roza teaches
a method to control oneself. While
controlling hunger and thirst, he
also has to ensure that he doesnt
abuse, harm or fght with others.
One of the signifcant features of
Ramadan is that it creates empathy
towards have-nots and encourages
charity. When a man fasts, he
realizes there are many people
who dont get two square meals
and deprived of basic necessities.
When I have money I eat and drink
but there are many who go hungry
because they dont have the means.
Quran says the poor, handicapped
and those who are deprived also
have their share in your money,
said a scholar, who declined to be
named.
But then, Ramadan is not only
about fasting and prayers. Parts
of cities like Delhi or Hyderabad or
Kolkata or Mumbai, with a large
Muslim population, come alive,
especially during evenings. The
markets teem with people buying
dates, fruits and the fried items
for iftar or breaking of fast. The
occasion brings together the devouts
in mosques and at community
iftars as the holy month provides
unique opportunity to foster unity
and brotherhood.
Shopping continues till late in
the night with the people tasting
haleem, a special delicacy of
Ramadan prepared by hundreds of
hotels and roadside eateries. The
worshippers throng the mosques
for prayers till around midnight. The
activity resumes in the wee hours of
the day with people waking up for
sahr or pre-dawn meals followed
by the morning prayers.
In the national capital, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress
president Sonia Gandhi and other
top political leaders also host iftar
parties.
There are an estimated 1.6
billion Muslims around the world.
India has the worlds third largest
Muslim population after Indonesia
and Pakistan, with 20 to 30 percent
Muslim populations in some of the
largest states of the country.
By Mohammed Shafeeq
July - 2014
6
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
Rajindar Sachar: Priorities For Modi Government
The Public disgust with Congress
(UPA) government of the last
decade has seen it being defeated
no it is decimated. But BJP
must not over exult by assuming
that the majority has endorsed its
policies. It should be politically
honest enough to admit that it is
corporate created TV, SMS, Publicity
image of Modi that has scored.
A delusional image of
development being unleashed by
Modi has somehow temporarily
sanitized the young into Modi club.
BJP electoral expense Rs. 20,000
to 40,000 crore is considered a
modest estimate. This strengthens
the demand for prohibition of
corporate funding in elections.
Modi is obviously a deeply
religions man is shown by his
doing Puja of Mother Ganga. No
one can take any exception to his
personal belief and action. But Modi
is now the Prime Minister of this
country where 20% are non Hindu
Minority, out of which 80% (nearly
18 crores) are Muslims. Modi has
been proclaiming that he intends
to function evenly and without any
discrimination either in favour of
Hindus or against Muslims and other
Minorities. Could Modi in this hour of
his unimaginative triumph
do only two humane
gestures to clear the fear
amongst Muslims frst
could he pay a similar visit
to Ajmer Dargaha Chistis
and offer Chadhar this
revered place has been
for centuries a sanctuary
of repose for men and women
of all faith as an assertion that all
religions are on equal pedestal.
As for Modi developmental
model which is similar to Congress
model there is obviously going
to be deep confict between the
neoliberal strategy of development
and of decentralized development
as envisaged by 73rd and 74th
Constitutional Amendments of our
Constitution. On this matter the
peoples immediate resistance would
be on the UPA sponsored Japanese
fnanced Amritsar Calcutta
and Delhi Bombay corridors
development plan and which is
going displace millions of small
landholders and poor (and which
Modi is likely to follow up because
this fts in with his developmental
pattern). So this is a continuing
danger one which Socialist Party
and other human Right activists will
collide with this confict
is acceptable and is natural
in any democratic nation.
But the biggest
challenge facing Modi is as
to how to act in a manner
so as to avoid divisive
confict in the society
this is dependent on
how he acts towards the Minorities,
especially the Muslims. This is
because under our Constitution
no religion can claim superiority of
status against any other religion.
All religions under our constitution
have equal acceptance and status.
It is a truism that in any country
the faith and the confdence of
the Minorities in the impartial and
even functioning of the State is the
acid test of being civilized State.
This is accepted wisdom, and was
expressed succinctly by Lord Acton:
A state which is incompetent to
satisfy different races condemns
itself; a state which labours
to neutralize, to absorb or to
expel them is destitute of the
chief basis of self-government.
We need only substitute
minorities for races in the above
quotation to apply the test in India.
Thus inclusive development
in India and for that matter in
any country alone is the path to
prosperity. It is an undeniable
truth and needs to be irrevocably
accepted by all in India, namely that
minorities, Muslims and Christians
are not outsiders. They are an
integral part of India. This was
emphasized by Swami Vivekanand,
(whom Modi will certainly accept
as one of the greatest Indians we
have produced) thus: He also told
Hindus not to talk of the superiority
of one religion over another. Even
toleration of other faiths was not
right; it smacked of blasphemy. In
his letter to a Muslim friend in 1898,
he again emphasized. For our own
motherland a junction of the two
great systems Hinduism and Isla
Vedanta brain and Islam body is the
only hope. the future perfect India.
Modi often purports to show
his neutrality by proclaiming that
he does not recognize any special
rights for Minorities he treats
all people as Gujaratis or Indians.
This apparently impartial approach
for all is similar to the taunt by
French Author Anatole France
who ironically commented at the
neglect of the poor by French State
thus: Law in its majesty gives equal
rights to the rich and poor to sleep
under the bridges. Thus to say that
Minorities who are admittedly far
behind in the race of development
as against the others should not be
given special treatment is not only
sheer injustice but violative of the
mandate of report of U. N. Human
Right council, Forum on Minority
issued on December 14th, 15th,
2010 which has said; Consequently,
the right of minorities to participate
effectively in economic life must
be fully taken into account by
governments seeking to promote
equality at every level. Governments
should gather and regularly publicize
disaggregated data to measure and
monitor the effective participation
of minorities in economic life. Thus
it is a mischievous propaganda that
targeted programme for Minorities
is not legal or Constitutional.
Modi rightly reveres Gandhiji
(surely Modi would remember what
he said in 1921 and March 1947)
namely: I would say that Hindus
and Muslims are the two eyes of
mother India just as the trouble
in one eye affects the other too,
similarly the whole of India suffer
when either Hindu or Muslim suffer.
Would not Modi like to pay
obeisance to the memory of
Gandhiji if in his inaugural speech
on being sworn as Prime Minister he
was to declare that Government of
Indias 15 Point Minority Programme
which has continued under different
governments will continue as
before and that he is open to
meeting with Minority leaders so
as to make it even more effective.
This declaration, if made will act
as a balm and relieve the tension
in the country especially amongst
Muslims, and thus enabling Modi
to attend to other urgent problems.
Will Modi like to be remembered
as a Statesman or as a partisan
leader he alone can decide,
because this victory has given him
an unparalleled position amongst
his colleagues. This situation poses
a danger to democracy as pointed
out by Dr. Ambedkar thus: There
is nothing wrong in being grateful
to great men who have rendered
life long service to the country. But
there are limits to gratefulness For
in India unlike in any other country
in the world, Bhakti in religion may
be a road to the salvation of the
soul. But, in politics, Bhakti or hero-
worship is a sure road to degradation
and to eventual dictatorship. We
must never forget this warning by
the architect of our Constitution.
Justice Rajindar Sachar
Former Chief Justice,
High Court of Delhi
In Loving Memory of
G.M. BANATWALA SAHIB
Former President, Indian Union Muslim League
Former Member of Parliment (Loksabha)
M.Com., B.Ed., LLB.,
Born : 15th August 1933 Died : 25th June 2008
FAROOQ ABDUL GAFFAR BAWANI
'BAWANI MANSION' No. 1, Bhidbhanjan Street,
RAJKOT - 360 001. GUJARAT, INDIA.
Mobile : +91 98791 88179 E-mail : bawanifarooq@gmail.com
with profound reverence and respect from :
July - 2014
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
7
Joblessness, better money drives youth to Iraq
Joblessness, poor land holdings,
vice-like grip of the drug mafa
and, of course, the lure of better
money is what drives thousands
of youths from Punjab to risk
going to confict zones like Iraq
for work. Those who are back
say about 10,000 Indians could
be trapped inside Iraq in different
cities, many of which have fallen
to advancing Sunni insurgents.
Till the middle of this month,
hundreds of youths from Punjab
were completing formalities
to get a passage to Iraq,
unmindful of the fate of those
already stranded there or facing
captivity by ruthless militants.
Even in neighbouring Haryana,
the rural youth have started
going to Iraq and other countries.
Nearly 200 men from Haryana
are stuck in Iraq now. A majority
of them are from Yamunanagar,
Kurukshetra and Ambala districts.
Most youths and men who seek
to go to the Gulf and West Asia are
semi-skilled workers. Some lack
even basic qualifcation or training.
But typical of the community, they
are willing to work hard and risk
going there untrained and picking
up just about any paying job.
There is so much joblessness in
Punjab and the government only
keeps making promises. Many
youths have fallen prey to drug
abuse. There is no hope here. That
is why people are ready to go to
even places like Iraq. At least a job
and good money is assured there,
Parminder Singh of Hoshiarpur
in Punjab who returned two
weeks ago from Iraq told IANS.
Parminder Singh, who worked
with a wire making company in
Sulaymaniyah (Kurd region), says
he was lucky as he was able to
convince his employer to pay him
money and release his passport.
Others are not so lucky.
Hundreds of youths, not only
from Punjab but other countries
too, are stranded there. The
employers dont want to release
their money and passports as
they are worried that the workers
will not return, he pointed out.
Parminder Singh was taken
to Iraq with the promise of a
security-related job in a hotel
with a monthly salary of $400.
I was made to do odd, menial
jobs. Once you are there, you are
trapped. There is no going back.
Those going to Iraq end up
being drivers, crane and dumper
operators, masons, plumber, ftters
and carpenters. Most are hired
by construction companies and
factories supplying material for
construction, Karamjit Singh, who
is still in Tikrit in Iraq, told IANS.
A young man in the Gulf
gets Rs.15,000-30,000. They
cannot hope of earning that
kind of money here, he added.
While some companies
offer food and lodging, others
make life hell for the workers.
There are nearly 200 Indians
working in our company ILCI in
Karbala. We are all holed up here,
Manjit Singh of village Kalra near
Adampur, 20 km from Hoshiarpur,
told his family members.
Balwinder Singh of Fatehgarh
Sahib said they were waiting for
help to take them out of Mosul town.
Many men suffer as they
are made to sleep in corridors
and even washrooms. The
conditions are miserable. The
heat is unbearable, said Raj
Kumar of Garhshankar area.
Tilak Raj, who was taken
hostage in 2004, told IANS that
the militants were unlikely to
harm Indian nationals in captivity.
They (militants) used to tell us
that their fght is against the US.
They told us that if our ransom
was not paid by our company, they
would make us fght with them.
Ultimately, our company paid a
ransom of Rs.500 crore for all
the hostages, said Tilak Raj, who
has never thought of going back.
The lucky ones who have
returned to India say thousands
could be trapped inside Iraq. No
one has a frm estimate of the
numbers. Some may have been
held hostage by the militants. For
most, seeking help from the Indian
embassy in Baghdad is a big deal.
The travel agents based in
Punjab get labour requirement
demand from Middle East
countries including Iraq. While
rates for going to countries like
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait
are high, those who cant afford
much for the immigration opt for
Iraq, Sushil Ahuja, who is with
the immigration trade, told IANS.
In the 1970s and 80s, engineers,
managers and other white-
collared professionals used to go
to Iraq as they were in demand for
various infrastructure projects and
assignments being undertaken
by Indian companies, both in
the private and public sector.
Life was very different then. For
Indians, Iraq used to be like any
Western country. The returns were
also quite good. But I understand
that now people go only for small
jobs, said Kulwant Singh, whose
father served as an engineer
in Iraq over 4 decades ago.
Chairman Dr. Mohammed Nizam, Correspondent Mrs. Shasminaz
Nizam and Mrs. Gibson the Advisor cut the ribbon to symbolize start of
Nizams British International School, Ooty.
Modi to visit Islamic Centre after Ramadan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Delhis India Islamic
Cultural Centre after the holy month of Ramadan, a statement from
the centre said.
Modi made the assurance at a meeting with the centres president
Sirajuddin Qureshi.
The statement also added that Qureshi asked the prime minister
to look into the issue of Muslim youths implicated in terror cases. He
demanded an independent review committee to look into the issue.
The statement said Modi assured that he will look into the matter
and that he is aware of the sensitivity of this issue
The Times of League - English Monthly - R.Dis. No. 1765/10 published by Mohamed Ismail on behalf of Muslim League Publication Trust, published at 36, Maraikayar Lebbai
Street, Mannady, Chennai - 600 001 and printed by K.A.M. Muhammed Abubacker at Madras Media Press No, 36, Maraikayar Lebbai Street, Mannady, Chennai - 600 001.
Editor : Prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen,
8
THE TIMES OF LEAGUE
Published : 4th of Every Month.
In his Ramadan mess
age, Obama stressed US
Muslims efforts to help the
less fortunate all through
the year and especially on
Ramadan.
US President Barck
Obama has issued a
message to American
Muslims and Muslims arou
nd the world congratulating
them on the start of the holy
fasting month of Ramadan
as a time to remember the
poor and the needy and to
share responsibilities.
On behalf of the Ameri
can people, Michelle and I
extend our best wishes to
Muslim communities here
in the United States and
around the world on the
beginning of the blessed
month of Ramadan,
Obama said in a message
published by the White
House Offce of the Press
Secretary on Friday, June
27.
A time for self-refection
and devotion through
prayer and fasting, Rama
dan is also an occasion
when Muslims around
the world reaffrm their
commitment to helping the
less fortunate, including
those struggling because
of economic hardship and
inequality, he added.
In Ramadan, adult
Muslims, save the sick and
those traveling, abstain
from food, drink, smoking
and sex between dawn and
sunset.
Muslims dedicate their
time during the holy month
to be closer to Allah through
prayers, self-restraint and
good deeds.
Muslims in North America
started fasting on Saturday, June
28, on the frst day of the holy
month of Ramadan.
The United States is home to
from 6-7 million Muslims.
Muslim Help
In his Ramadan message,
Obama stressed US Muslims
efforts to help the less fortunate
all through the year and especially
on Ramadan.
Here in the United States,
we are grateful to the many
Muslim American organizations,
individuals, and businesses that
are devoted to creating opportunity
for all by working to reduce income
inequality and poverty, not only
through their charitable efforts,
but also through their initiatives to
empower students, workers and
families with the education, skills
and health care they deserve, the
US President added.
At a moment when too many
people around the world continue
to suffer from senseless confict
and violence, this sacred time
reminds us of our common
obligations to pursue justice and
peace and to uphold the dignity of
every human being.
He also repeated his annual
invitation to American Muslims to
share Iftar at the White House, a
tradition going over the past years.
As Ive done every year as
President, I look forward to
welcoming Muslim Americans from
across the United States to the
White House for an iftar dinner,
Obama noted.
It will be another opportunity
for me to convey Americas
appreciation for the contributions
of Muslim Americans to our country
and to wish Muslims around the
world a month blessed with the
joys of family, community, peace
and understanding. Ramadan
Kareem
Obama Congratulates Muslims on Ramadan
INDIAN UNION MUSLIM LEAGUE
Member of Parliament are
Hearty Congratulated for
being Elected in
16th LOK SABHA
FAROOQ ABDUL GAFFAR BAWANI
'BAWANI MANSION'
No. 1, Bhidbhanjan Street,
RAJKOT - 360 001. GUJARAT, INDIA.
Mobile : +91 98791 88179
E-mail : bawanifarooq@gmail.com
E. Ahmed Sahib E. T. Basheer Sahib