The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has condemned the arrest of Islamic scholar Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui by Uttar Pradesh ATS, calling it “yet another attempt by the ruling Hindutva forces to curb interfaith dialogues to fan communal hatred ahead of UP elections.”
Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui was arrested by Uttar Pradesh ATS on Tuesday evening in connection with the Dr Umar Gautam religious conversion case.
“Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui is widely respected by people belonging to various religions due to his efforts to promote communal harmony through friendly interfaith dialogues. He has dedicated his life to removing mistrust between communities and seeking a better understanding and awareness of each other. There is not an iota of truth in the allegations that he converted people through coercion or enticement. The complaint by UP ATS is completely bogus and fictitious,” Mohammad Salman Ahmad, SIO’s national president said in a statement.
Accusing the UP government of arresting Maulana Kaleem for electoral gains, SIO appealed for his immediate release. “The continuous persecution of innocent Muslims is reprehensible and should be stopped immediately. Such actions will only create an atmosphere of scepticism and distrust and will be utterly harmful to the social fabric of the country,” SIO said.
SIO said the constitution guarantees everyone the right to practice and preach the religion of one’s choice, and the UP government’s contentious anti-conversion law, under which Maulana Kaleem is arrested undermines these freedoms.
“UP’s anti-conversion law has become a tool to harass common people. We hope that good sense will prevail and the honourable courts uphold the constitutional values and put a stop to this insanity,” the students’ group said.
Related
