New Delhi

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Vice President Prof. Salim Engineer expressed his concern over hate speeches, communal narratives and misuse of power in the election campaign of the Bihar Assembly elections.

Addressing the media, he said the theme of the election campaign should be the development of the state, health, peace, law and order and education. He asked the Election Commission to take cognisance of hate speeches in the campaign and take action against the guilty.

He asked the people of Bihar to prove their wisdom and responsibility in the upcoming assembly elections by realising that voting is not only a right but also a responsibility. It's a means of strengthening democracy and establishing a just society.

He said that citizens should choose political parties and candidates for their vision, performance, integrity and espousing public issues like poverty, unemployment, education, health and justice, and not based on emotional, divisive or communal appeals.

On this occasion, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind appealed to all political parties to avoid hate speeches, communal polarisation and misuse of power. The Vice-Ameer demanded that the Election Commission of India implement the model code of conduct to make the elections free, fair and transparent.

He said that Bihar has been a land of political consciousness and social harmony. We are confident that the people of Bihar will choose candidates who are committed to real development, justice and peace.

Expressing deep concern over the increasing sexual crimes against women in the country, Professor Saleem Engineer pointed to three recent incidents - the suicide of a female doctor in Maharashtra who had accused a police officer of rape, a hospital employee in Delhi who was framed by a fake army officer and an MBBS student who was drugged and blackmailed. He said that these incidents are not isolated but indicate a large-scale decline in society. Such incidents paint a picture of the insecurity that women in the country face in their daily lives.

Citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report 'Crime in India 2023', which recorded 4,48,211 cases against women, he said that the failure to protect women in both rural and urban areas is of utmost concern. In this regard, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind demanded speedy judicial proceedings, provision of immediate justice to the victims, and wider gender protection training and sensitisation in the police, judiciary and health sectors.

ALSO READ: Nehru rebuked Ayub Khan for the unkept grave of Jinnah

However, Professor Saleem warned that laws alone are not enough. We need strict laws as well as a moral public awareness movement to revive social values ​​based on respect, dignity, and fear of God.