New Delhi: Amid a sharp rise in brutal crimes against women across India, including the rape and murder of a trainee medical doctor in Kolkata and the rape and murder of a Muslim nurse in Uttarakhand, the Women’s Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has announced a month-long nationwide public awareness campaign. Scheduled to begin next month, the campaign, themed ‘Morality is Freedom,’ aims to address the increasing incidents of sexual violence and homicide targeting women and girls in the country.
At a press conference held at the JIH headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday, JIH National Secretary Mrs. Shaista Rafat outlined the campaign’s objectives. She emphasized that social inequality, neglect of security, and discrimination against women have exacerbated these issues. The campaign aims to educate people on the connection between real freedom and morality, asserting that adhering to moral values is essential for achieving true and lasting freedom and fulfillment in life.
Mrs. Rafat explained that the campaign’s goals include ensuring that everyone has the freedom to fulfil their basic needs and access fundamental rights, regardless of caste, colour, gender, religion, or region. This, she stated, can only be achieved by following moral values. The campaign will involve educationists, counsellors, lawyers, religious scholars, and community leaders at national, state, district, and grassroots levels. Special programs will be organized on campuses to educate students and youth about the importance of moral values for achieving lasting joy and freedom. Additionally, there will be programs featuring scholars from various religions to discuss common moral values shared across different faiths and cultures.
In response to questions about the campaign’s outreach and target audience, Mrs. Rahamathunnissa, another JIH National Secretary, clarified that the initiative will engage all communities—Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and others—across religion, region, caste, and gender. They will also involve non-Muslim NGOs, organizations, and religious leaders to broaden the campaign’s impact.
Mrs. Rafat further noted that the campaign will extend to educational institutions, religious places, and other venues without discrimination. The aim is to address the root causes of sexual violence rather than relying on superficial measures.
The JIH representatives stressed the need to address the root causes of crimes against women at every level of society.
Regarding the ‘Me Too’ movement’s impact in the Malayalam film industry, Mrs. Rahamathunnissa urged male celebrities to publicly denounce such incidents if they genuinely oppose them. She criticized the commodification of women’s bodies in a capitalist society, which she views as a root cause of these crimes. She argued that mere condemnations and suspensions are insufficient and that a comprehensive analysis and debate are necessary to find lasting solutions.
On the effectiveness and expected outcomes of the campaign, Mrs. Rafat emphasized that the goal is to raise national awareness about the root causes of crimes against women and to encourage a deeper understanding of the issues. By the end of September, they hope to have drawn significant attention to these problems and initiated long-term programs and projects.
Mrs. Rahamathunnissa highlighted the influence of capitalist ideology, which she believes has led to the commodification of women’s bodies for entertainment. “Merely condemning and suspending one or two individuals will not solve this problem,” she stated. “Analyses, debates, and discussions should take place at every level in the public domain, from parliament to local communities, to find the root causes and long-lasting solutions to such incidents.”
Mrs. Rahamathunnissa highlighted the importance of grassroots training for campaign workers, including writers, trainers, and speakers, to effectively convey the campaign’s message. She also stressed the need for swift and effective justice for victims, suggesting that delays in trials contribute to obstacles in delivering justice.
Addressing the celebration and garlanding of rapists or rape accused, Mrs. Rahamathunnissa called for greater responsibility and sensitivity from government, legislators, and law enforcement agencies. Mrs. Rafat added that celebrating such individuals contradicts the nation’s values and aspirations, and those who engage in such acts should reconsider their mindsets.
In response to questions about the current modest dress controversy, Mrs. Rahamathunnissa acknowledged that while modest dressing is a factor, it is not a comprehensive solution to the problem of sexual violence. She compared modest dressing to wearing a helmet while driving, noting that while it is important, it should be accompanied by broader societal changes and a shift in attitudes toward women.
The campaign will also emphasize the need for rapid justice and punishment for crimes against women, with Mrs. Rafat advocating for faster court proceedings to ensure timely justice.
In conclusion, Mrs. Rahamathunnissa expressed concern over the increasing number of sexual assaults and violence against women, citing high-profile cases and systemic biases as evidence of the need for serious introspection and change. She believes that addressing the decline in moral values is crucial for tackling these issues effectively.
During the press conference, the JIH Women’s Department released two books: Morality is Freedom by Rahamathunnissa A and Graceful Strength: Islamic Morality for Women by Dr. Shadab Munawar Moosa. The logo for the nationwide campaign was also unveiled.