Muslim organisations have expressed skepticism over the home ministry’s proposal to set up special courts for speedy trial of Muslim youth falsely implicated in terror-related cases, terming the move a “lollipop” for the community.
Gulzar Azmi of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said the move has been made with an eye to next year’s elections. “It is a lollipop for Muslims ahead of the elections. They are trying to prepare the ground for elections,” said Azmi.
He accused the government of not being sincere about providing justice to Muslim youth falsely implicated in such cases. “If the government is sincere and honest they should show that. It has often made such claims, but nothing concrete has come up yet.”
Home minister Sushil kumar Shinde on Friday in a letter to minority affairs minister K Rahman Khan said the ministry “strongly” backs the decision for establishing such special courts and promised strong action against officers responsible for such cases.
“The ministry strongly supports the proposal of special courts for the expeditious trial of these Muslim youth. I am also of the view that arresting and keeping innocent persons in custody knowingly, is indeed a serious offence,” Shinde said in his letter.