New Delhi: All India Lawyers’ Association for Justice (AILAJ), a human rights group, has filed a complaint with DGP (Director General of Police) and IGP (Inspector General of Police) in the Indian state of Karnataka demanding legal action against Hindutva groups and others for calling for socio-economic boycott of Muslims.
The rights body drew the attention of the senior police officials towards the hate speeches made by the accused against the minority community with intent to promote enmity between two religious groups.
Two members of the AILAJ submitted the complaint to the Karnataka DGP. In the complaint filed by Maitreyi Krishnan, Co-Convener of AILAJ, they named the organising committee/heads of certain temples, individuals and groups, including Sri Ram Sene, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal etc. as the accused of the crimes.
The AILAJ demanded registration of FIRs against these accused, an independent investigation against them and preventive measures to stop the boycott campaign. It also demanded implementation of a Supreme Court order on vigilantism and the registration of FIRs against the hate speeches.
“The economic boycott called by the VHP and Bajrang Dal affects the right of a citizen to live with dignity, right to livelihood, and the right to equality of members of other religious communities, and amount to a clear act of social exclusion in complete violation of the Indian Constitution,” reads the complaint.
In the complaint, the AILAJ described the boycotts as “stark violation of the anti-exclusion principle underpinning Article 15, and are grossly unconstitutional”.
It pointed out that the act of placing saffron flags on shops to demarcate Hindu businesses from those of other religions (including Muslims and Christians) clearly indicates a design to differentiate Hindus from the rest for the purpose of discrimination, and is a shocking act of social apartheid.
“The creation of such a discrimination that intends to separate Hindus from other religions is an act of untouchability on the grounds of purity of Hindus, strictly prohibited by Article 17,” it noted. Web Desk
