Mumbai: Muslim organisations, community leaders, legal experts and civil society groups in Maharashtra have announced the formation of task forces to provide rapid assistance to victims of hate crimes and to counter rising communal tensions.
The decision followed a meeting convened by the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) at Mumbai’s Islam Gymkhana on June 8, attended by Muslim MLAs, lawyers, judges, activists and religious scholars. Participants discussed hate speech, hate crimes, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion (Anti Conversion) Act and the proposed Uniform Civil Code.
Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, president of Jamaat e Islami Maharashtra, said the task forces will offer immediate relief and coordinated legal support to affected individuals. Dolphy D’Souza of the Justice and Peace Commission and the Institute for Community Research Organisation said the groups will also run awareness campaigns as a preventive measure.
Attendees emphasised the need for a long term strategy, proposing a 10 year roadmap to address systemic discrimination and protect democratic rights. “The meeting is not a confrontation against any government or political party; rather, it is a sincere effort to find sustainable and practical solutions to the issues faced by Muslims,” Falahi said.
Former Bombay High Court judge Abhay Thipsay, former Rajya Sabha member Obaidullah Khan Azmi and MLAs Amin Patel, Sajid Pathan, Haroon Khan, Abu Asim Azmi, Sana Malik and Rais Shaikh were among those present.
The gathering called for expanded legal aid, grassroots education and unified advocacy, and urged the withdrawal of the Maharashtra anti conversion law. The FMM also appealed to minority communities to remain vigilant and ensure their names are on electoral rolls.