NEWS PRISM, DELHI DESK
NEW DELHI: In a significant development for the Indian Muslim community, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (Registered) led by Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, claiming to be the legitimate group of the historically significant organization, announced its office bearers. This comes amidst internal conflict within the umbrella organization representing Muslim bodies in India.
Announcement of Office Bearers
Addressing a press conference held here on Monday at the Hotel Riverview, in Okhla, Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan claims his faction is the legitimate group, with government registration and backing from prominent Muslim organizations and leaders. He accuses the rival faction, led by Feroze Ansari, of inactivity and failing to address crucial community issues. At the press conference, he announced the appointment of key office bearers, including vice presidents, general secretaries, a treasurer, and a 21-member governing body.
Dr. Khan, a renowned Islamic scholar and former chairman of the Delhi Minorities Commission, was unanimously elected president of his faction of the Mushawarat in a general body meeting held last month.
Leadership Dispute and Revival Efforts:
The AIMMM, established in 1964, has witnessed internal turmoil in recent years. Dr. Khan alleges the organization fell under the control of “non-serious people” who made controversial decisions, including expelling long-standing members and altering the constitution undemocratically. This, he says, led to a decline in the AIMMM’s influence and voice on critical issues concerning Indian Muslims.
Driven by concerns about the community’s well-being, Dr. Khan, reluctantly, took the initiative to revive the original AIMMM. He emphasizes his role as temporary, solely focused on reviving the organization and holding elections. He asserts his commitment to a democratic process and stepping down after the election.
Claiming Legitimacy and Highlighting Inactivity of Old Mushawarat
Dr. Khan’s faction claims legal legitimacy as the official AIMMM (Registered) entity. Their registration stems from 2003 and was transferred to Dr. Khan’s name from the late Maulana Mohammad Salim Qasmi. They maintain that the rival faction operates without legal recognition.
The revived AIMMM (Regd.) aims to be inclusive. They plan to reinstate expelled members and reach out to prominent individuals and organizations to create a truly representative body for Indian Muslims. This includes retaining all members from before late 2016 and welcoming new ones.
He strongly criticized the inactivity of the Mushawarat (Navaid Hamid) faction on crucial issues concerning the community, including rising incidents of violence against Muslims, demolition of Muslim homes despite proper documentation, and the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.
A Call for Unity and Revival
Dr. Khan emphasized the need for a united platform to address the challenges faced by the Muslim community. He stressed that the revival of AIMMM aims to create a strong, credible voice and vowed to take collective steps to improve the community’s situation.
Failed Reconciliation Attempts:
Dr. Khan reveals attempts at reconciliation with the Feroze Ansari faction, mediated by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) leaders. However, these efforts proved unsuccessful. The JIH while maintaining neutrality, urged both sides to resolve their differences and amend the constitution. However, Dr. Khan and his colleagues remained skeptical, believing the rival faction lacked genuine commitment.
JIH’s Stance on Unity:
JIH has emphasized the importance of unity between the two factions for the community’s benefit. They have maintained a neutral stance while actively working to foster reconciliation. They have also criticized an inappropriate letter issued by the Feroze Ansari faction against Dr. Khan.
Revived AIMMM’s Goals and Resolutions:
Dr. Khan and other leaders from the revived AIMMM (Regd.) expressed hope that the organization will fulfill the community’s expectations. They aim to make collective and strong efforts to address issues like lynching, home demolitions, and injustice against Muslims.
The revived AIMMM also passed resolutions at its general body meeting held last month:
- Appreciation for Voters: They expressed satisfaction with the recent general election results, praising voters for rejecting divisive politics.
- Secularism and Constitution: The organization emphasized that the election results reaffirmed India’s secular majority and the supremacy of the Constitution.
- Marginalization of Muslims: Resolutions condemned the marginalization of Indian Muslims and urged secular parties to take a firm stance on their issues.
- Gaza Crisis: The AIMMM denounced Israeli actions in Gaza and criticized the tepid responses from Muslim-majority nations. They called for justice and international support through UN channels.
Support and Openness for Merger
Dr. Khan claimed the support of 14 Muslim organizations previously associated with the Mushawarat. He clarified that their doors are open for merging with the Feroz Ansari led faction, but only under certain conditions, including reinstating expelled members and reversing controversial decisions.
The Path Forward
The revival of the AIMMM (Regd.) has reignited discussions about leadership and representation within the Indian Muslim community. With two factions claiming legitimacy, the organization’s ability to truly represent the Indian Muslim community faces challenges. However, Dr. Khan’s leadership and the organization’s renewed focus on community issues offer a glimmer of hope for a more unified and effective voice for Indian Muslims. Whether this development leads to a unified platform or further divides the community remains to be seen.
Courtesy: Indiatomorrow.net