Indian Muslim scholars seek enactment of law against blasphemy

Akhilesh Yadav Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Image from indianetzone

Uttar Pradesh, India (IINA) - A delegation of Muslim scholars from across Uttar Pradesh, led by Imam of Eidgah Lucknow Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli met Chief Minister (CM) Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday, The Times of India daily newspaper reported.
During the meeting, the Muslims scholars demanded enactment of a law to punish anyone insulting the revered figures of all religions including Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) and withdrawal of police cases against those who protested against insult of the Prophet by a Hindu Mahasabha leader. The protests had taken place in December 2015 and January 2016 inmany parts of the state including Deoband, Basti, Tambaur and Lucknow.
In a meeting that lasted one hour, the delegation also congratulated the CM on completing four years in office and appreciated some decisions and initiatives taken by his government.
Scholar Khalid Rasheed said that Muslims appreciate appointment of Javeed Ahmed to the post of director general of police (DGP), the first Muslim to be appointed on the post by any government in Uttar Pradesh since independence. However, he said, there were still some areas that needed attention and presented to the CM a memorandum of demands on behalf of Jamiat ul Muslimin.
The demands included formation of minorities Welfare Board, ensuring 20 percent reservation for Muslims in government, PAC and UP Police jobs, release of Muslims framed in false cases of terror activities and raise issues such as Aligarh Muslim University minority status and including Muslims in the purview of section 341 in the parliament through SP MPs.
The memorandum also demanded ensuring status quo on Babari mosque and no permission to hold any events on the premises till the matter is pending in Supreme Court, removing of hurdles in the way of construction of mosques in government and private colonies, including Baghban (Muslim gardeners) in the category of Backward class of gardeners and special attention to upkeep of minorities' institutions and permission to appoint teachers.
Further, the delegation demanded removal of objectionable content from school textbooks and inclusion of names and biographies of Muslims who fought and made sacrifices for freedom of India.
SM/IINA

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