AIMPLB seeks new blasphemy law covering all religions

KANPUR : The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has sought a new blasphemy law while expressing concern over what it termed as the increasing instances of insult to holy figures.

The board said the law should cover all the religions in the country to protect revered figures, religions and religious beliefs from malicious attempts, said board general secretary Saifullah Rahmani. The board is holding its 27th national convention in Kanpur. About 140 delegates from the all over the country are participating in the convention.

Making it clear the board would not accept the Uniform Civil Code, it also demanded that the government and the courts should not define the holy books and scriptures. That was the domain of the clerics or religious leaders and it should be left to them, he said.

Rahmani, accompanied by Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahli, Jalaluddin Umri and Fazlur Rahman said stern action should be initiated against the Hindu Mahasabha for fomenting communal trouble in Mathura and Varanasi where security of the Shahi Eidgah and the Gyanivapi Masjid, respectively, should be further beefed up.

The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha recently announced its plans to install an idol of Bal Gopal (child Krishna) at a site within the Eidgah at adjoining the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura on December 6.

On the Ram JanmabhoomiBabri Masjid title suit case, the board clarified that it was not satisfied with the Supreme Court verdict. The Muslims did

AIMPLB SAID IT WILL NOT ACCEPT UNIFORM CIVIL CODE AND DEMANDED THAT GOVERNMENT AND COURTS SHOULD NOT DEFINE THE HOLY BOOKS AND SCRIPTURES

not lose the case, but the verdict was dissatisfying, he said.

In a unanimous verdict, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019 gave the ownership of the disputed land in Ayodhya to the Hindu side, paving the way for construction of the Ram temple.

The Supreme Court directed that 5 acres of alternative land be provided to the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board.

Asked about the arrests made with regard to forced conversions, Rahmani said that it was forbidden in Islam.

But the Constitution allows people to propagate the good side of religion and its teachings, he said.

The board has demanded that the government act tough on lynchings, which must stop, he said, adding it also advised the community members not to go for interfaith marriages.

During the meeting, the emphasis was on simple nikah and reducing the unnecessary expenses on weddings. If clerics found weddings were organised lavishly, they could perform Nikah, but also make sure they give a detailed speech to dissuade people from extravagance.

The board also deliberated upon waqf properties. Rahmani said the selling of waqf properties was the prerogative of the people who put the property originally in trust or the mutawalli or caretaker, adding that this was as per the shariyat and any meddling by the authorities was wrong.