Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) National Secretary, Ms Rahmathunnisa, has voiced strong concern over the alarming rise in crimes against women in India on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Addressing the media at the JIH Monthly Press Conference at their headquarters, Ms Rahmathunnisa stated that the latest NCRB report records 51 cases of crimes against women per 100,000 women in 2022, with a rape reported every 16 minutes.
“This is alarming and unacceptable. The conviction rate of 69.4% for murder with rape/gang rape drops to 27.4% for rape cases, exposing a grave failure in our justice system and leading to poor deterrence,” she said.
Referring to recent incidents, including the rape and murder of a medical doctor in Kolkata and the rape of a woman in a bus in Pune, she highlighted the fragility of women’s safety in the country.
The JIH National Secretary further pointed out that the harassment of Union Minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter underscores that even VIPs are not safe.
Discussing the moral aspect of the crisis, Ms Rahmathunnisa stated, “Thousands of unreported cases of eve-teasing and molestation highlight a deep moral decay in society. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind asserts that real empowerment lies in securing women’s safety, dignity, and rightful place in society. Laws must be enforced effectively, but societal reform is equally crucial.”
Quoting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), she said, “The best among you is the one who has the best morals.”
Ms Rahmathunnisa urged the government, educational institutions, and civil society to instill respect for women from an early age and move beyond tokenism to ensure women are treated with the dignity they deserve.
JIH Vice President, Prof Salim Engineer, also addressed the press meet and expressed disappointment over the partisan role played by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in collecting feedback from stakeholders regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.
“Despite widespread opposition, including millions of objections from the public, the bill has been pushed forward, making the consultative process appear meaningless,” he said.
Prof Engineer criticized the bill for introducing sweeping changes to the Waqf Act of 1995, allowing greater governmental interference in the management of Waqf properties.
He reiterated that Waqf properties are religious endowments, not government assets, and any move to dilute Waqf governance or increase state control is unacceptable.
Prof Engineer urged the government to withdraw the bill and instead focus on effectively implementing existing Waqf laws to protect Muslim heritage and institutions.
Expressing disappointment with parties that claim to be secular but still supported the bill in Parliament, he affirmed JIH’s support for the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other Muslim organizations in challenging the law through all constitutional, legal, democratic, and peaceful means.
“We endorse the AIMPLB call for a protest on March 13 at Jantar Mantar to oppose the Waqf Bill and appeal to all justice-loving citizens to join the protest in large numbers,” Prof Engineer added.
Prof Salim Engineer also spoke on ‘Rising Economic Inequality in India’.
Citing the latest Indus Valley Annual Report 2025, he highlighted that the top 10% continue to amass disproportionate wealth, while the bottom 50% struggle for survival.
Despite economic reforms, wealth remains concentrated among capitalists and the urban elite, further marginalizing disadvantaged communities.
Prof Engineer urged the government to prioritize poverty eradication and equitable resource distribution through progressive taxation, social welfare programs, and constitutional amendments ensuring access to basic necessities.
Addressing the ‘Growing Communal Incidents and Hate Crimes Against Religious Minorities’, he strongly condemned the increasing hate crimes and communal violence.
Prof Engineer referred to incidents such as the custodial torture of two men in Madhya Pradesh, the tragic death of an infant during a police raid in Rajasthan, and the targeted demolitions of Muslim-owned shops in Chikahli-Kudalwadi, Maharashtra, as signs of growing communal bias in the country.
“Muslims are increasingly being vilified to serve divisive political agendas. We call upon the government, law enforcement, and judiciary to uphold constitutional rights and ensure justice,” he noted.
Prof Engineer urged citizens to resist communal polarization and the threat of fascism, emphasizing that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity.
“All citizens must work together to restore democratic and constitutional values for a just society,” he concluded.
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