New Delhi

Shahi Imam of Punjab, Maulana Usman Ludhianvi, has announced a state-wide movement against the rampant domestic violence and other crimes against women, which will start from his hometown of Ludhiana soon.

Making his plans public, Maulana Usman Ludhianvi said that cases of domestic violence are rising in society and women are at the receiving end of violence perpetrated by the members of their family, neighbours and others known to them. In a video message, the Shahi Imam said he seeks to make the issue part of the politics and religious narrative.

"We know that our women are facing the worst crimes in their homes, and this trend is catching up. often the victims are silenced and not allowed to take any action by society and the intervention of the family."

He says his campaign seeks to end the silence of society on such crimes and help women bring perpetrators to the book.

He clarified that it will be carried out with the participation of the police and civil administration, heads of educational institutions, school and college students and teachers, social organisations, and political parties.

Shahi Imam of Punjab Maulana Usman Ludhianvi sharing the proposal with Police

According to the latest report from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Punjab has seen a seven per cent decline in cases of crime against women, and yet the situation is serious.

While 5,662 cases of crime against women were registered in 2021, it dropped to 5,258 in 2023. The crime rate against women in the state is 35.9 percent, which is lower than the national average of 66.2 per cent, but it cannot be considered satisfactory. This rate is determined based on the number of cases registered per 100,000 female population.

Shahi Imam was moved by a recent brutal case of rape-cum-murder of a young girl in Jallandhar.

Maulana Usman Ludhianvi says that in such cases, influential persons often shield the accused from the law by pressurising the victims through panchayats and forcing them to compromise with the perpetrator. He said the movement will ensure that this doesn't happen, and the law takes its course to give justice to the victim.

In a video circulating on social media, Maulana Usman Ludhianvi is seen announcing his 2026 movement in the presence of police officers. In the video, he states that rising above religion, caste, or politics is the need of the hour to unite for the respect and safety of women. He also hinted that the movement will begin in Ludhiana and spread across Punjab.

The Maulana clarified that this movement will be against incidents like domestic violence, harassment of women, molestation, and rape. He stated that sisters, mothers, and daughters are feeling unsafe, and this cannot be ignored by making it a political or religious issue. Every section of society must unite and raise its voice against this.

Though Maulana Usman Ludhianvi seeks to sensitize and involve the youth through colleges and schools.

Besides, Maulana Usman Ludhianvi has also announced his plans to counter the religion-based hate and deal with those spreading it.

He says that religion is not just a matter of faith, but a means of character building. "Unfortunately, some people are using religion to spread hatred, violence, and division, which is affecting children and women the most."

He stated that lynchings and violent incidents in the name of religion are a matter of concern in the country. He again seeks to launch awareness on it by approaching the youth in schools and colleges and speaking to them about the virtues of "humanity, tolerance, and respect for the law."

Maulana Usman Ludhianvi is a proactive religious leader who not only speaks on crucial national issues but also gets into action to help others.

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His statements against the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh made headlines. During the recent floods in Punjab, he organised relief for the affected populations.