Muslim body welcomes TS govt's move to crack down on hatemongers, blasphemy

Hyderabad: Members of the Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Welfare Association, during a press conference held in Hyderabad on Friday, demanded anti-blasphemy laws. These laws will apply to everyone, not only Muslims, to ensure that no religion is insulted, they said.

The Muslim body welcomed the decision of the Telangana government to take strict action against hatemongers and those indulging in blasphemy. Hyderabad chapter of the Maharashtra-based Hazrat Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Welfare Association on Friday said Telangana Chief Minister KCR is known for his secular outlook even in the neighboring states. It would be nothing short of a democratic achievement for the party and the people if the anti-blasphemy law initiative garners favorable support in the state Assembly, they said.

What are anti-blasphemy laws?

Anti-blasphemy law prohibits blasphemy, which is insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence to a deity, sacred objects, or toward something considered sacred or inviolable.

Do we have any such laws in India?

Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code punishes "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious emotions of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs" with up to three years in prison, a fine, or both. Essentially, it is India's blasphemy law.

For deterrence and peace

Speaking to the media at Hyderabad's Media Plus Auditorium, association secretary Mohammed Yusuf Omar Ansari said "a stringent anti-blasphemy law will deter motor mouths who do not think before denigrating any religion."

The organisation urged both the state and federal governments to enact strict anti-blasphemy legislation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

"It is sheerly unethical and a disgrace to indulge in blasphemy. Faith is one's personal choice, and as citizens of a multi-religious and multicultural society, we must continue to coexist in harmony," Mr. Ansari remarked.

We wish to promote the message of brotherhood, peace, and harmony on the occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, he added.

Mr. Ansari said, "India has seen the likes of great Islamic scholars and saints, including Khwaja Ghareeb Nawab, who are symbols of unity, peace, and tolerance. Our organisation seeks to continue this mission and has recently voiced its concern against blasphemous occurrences against Islam, including most recently by Waseem Razvi and Jitendar Tyagi (whose controversial book was banned by the Allahabad High Court after a Muslim body filed an appeal against its blasphemous content)."

According to Mr. Ansari, the organisation approached the High Court on 6 September and filed a writ case demanding stern action against blasphemous corporations.