Ram Puniyani
In his letter to all the Chief Ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde’s Centre’s Home Minster (30, 09, 2013), wrote that they have been receiving complaints of harassment of innocent Muslim youth by Law enforcement agencies. He asked the state authorities to ensure that no innocent Muslim youth is arrested or wrongfully detained in the name of terror. The letter also suggests that if such wrongful act has been done it should be duly compensated.
This phenomenon of arrest of Muslim youth has been observed from last several years after the acts of terror. In most cases, Malegaon, Ajmer, Samjhuta Express and Mecca Masjid blasts many Muslim youth were arrested and as there was no evidence they were released by courts. During this process their careers were ruined and their families were socially ostracized. Shinde’s letter is belated but welcome step in the direction of justice.
The BJP’s criticism of this letter shows its communal bias. As it is true that it is due to the prevalent biases that more Muslims youth have been victimized in such a manner. We welcome the letter by the Home minister and hope that it will be followed by state authorities in letter and spirit.
