Author: Our Staff Reporter
Publication: The Hindu
Date: February 5, 2003
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2003/02/05/stories/2003020504440400.htm
The Bharatiya Janata Party has called
State-wide bandh on February 11 to protest the 'jehadi' killings by the
Darsgah Jehad-o-Shahadat (DJS) and demanding strong steps to check its
activists and MIM's alleged support to the organisation.
Announcing the bandh call at a press
conference here on Tuesday, S.V. Seshagiri Rao, State BJP vice-president,
and N. Indrasena Reddy, party floor leader in the Assembly, demanded ban
on the DJS and seizure of its property under POTA. Both sought arrest of
its leader, Shaik Mahboob Ali, his son and son-in-law and other supporters.
While Mr. Rao charged the State
Government with being "subservient'' to the DJS and the MIM by adopting
appeasement policy towards them, Mr. Reddy alleged that the DJS was involved
in as many as 100 murders.
The BJP leaders pointed out that
Ali's arrest would result in unearthing of information about the activities
of other similar organisations which were allegedly responsible for "jehadi'
murders.
Both Mr. Rao and Mr. Reddy traced
the various incidents like the bomb blast in the Saibaba temple at Dilsukhnagar
and the attack on the Birla Mandir besides several murder cases in City
and the outskirts which remained unsolved. They suspected that organisations
like the DJS were involved in these incidents and killings.
Mr. Reddy alleged that the MIM by
sympathising with the alleged accused persons involved in the Saibaba temple
case was proving to be no different from the DJS. He accused the Government
of lacking courage to take action against the MIM for its alleged support
to 'jehadi' organisations.
The BJP floor leader stated that
the party executive meeting on February 8 and 9 in Cuddapah would also
study the law and order situation in the State, keeping in view the threat
to people because of the activities of the "jehadi'' organisations.
SIO appeals for calm: Meanwhile,
the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) condemned "the attempt
to provoke communal passions'' and divide the Indian people at a time when
a united stand against challenges to the nation was needed.
In a resolution passed by its Central
Advisory Council, a copy of which was released to the press, the SIO appealed
to Muslim students to understand the "tricks of the anti- national communal
forces and not get trapped in their net.'' The SIO asked them to "maintain
balance as preached by Islam'' and not to develop communal passions. Rather
they should inculcate "true Islamic sentiments of love and fraternity''
and develop good relations with non-Muslims, the resolution appealed.
The SIO also passed a resolution
against the U.S. for "clear indications to attack Iraq'' and for creating
a danger to international peace by its arrogant actions. Another resolution
expressed concern regarding the slow pace of progress in education and
literacy. It condemned the "unregulated and blind privatisation of higher
education'' and underlined the Government's responsibility to provide every
citizen with equal right to higher and professional education.