New Delhi. The incident of Nizamuddin Markaz is very shameful and unfortunate. It seems that this incident may shatter the 18-day struggle against the novel coronavirus and the achievements of the pan-India lockdown. In the name of Ijtema, the Tablighis in their thousands from 25 countries of the world and India were gathered at the Nizamuddin Markaz for many days. Now more than 15-hundred of them are hiding in mosques of many states of India for the promotion of Islam. More than 400 of them have been caught. Several maulvis caught have been found to be corona positive. There are apprehensions that these clerics may spread COVID-19 infection from Kerala to Kashmir. It seems that now the Nizamuddin Markaz has become the epicentre of COVID-19 quake in India.
For covering up their unpardonable crime, the Markaz officials are daring to hold the administration and police accountable. The facts and figures coming out are mounting the seriousness of their transgression and crime. After the announcement of the lockdown on 23 March, more than 15 hundred Jamatis were sent to many states of India without medical check-up. On 24 March, the administration had asked for eviction of the Markaz. When they did not agree, then a medical team was sent there on 25 March but they were not allowed to enter. Even several times earlier the order to control the number of Jamatis was treated with contempt. The entire country is taking all pains and making all kinds of sacrifices to break the chain of Corona spread. Most of the shrines were closed voluntarily to avoid crowds and make social distancing a success. But some people forcibly insisted to offer Namaz in mosques. Similarly, it was obstinately insisted to bury the dead corona victims, while everyone knows that burial causes the corona bacteria to spread rapidly. We appeal to all responsible people of India to motivate their communities to move back from such intransigence and dogmatism. This mindset and mentality will not only hurt the country, they themselves cannot benefit either.
Recently, the so-called secular intellectuals of the country went to places like Shaheen Bagh and supported the protestors and their countrywide violence. Their silence on this development is surprising. Our appeal to them is to use their influence to stop such activities.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad appeals the following to the Central Government and the State Governments –
- Instead of taking out these elements hiding in Markaz, Mosques and Madrasas, they should be quarantined in those buildings themselves and treated there, so that the pandemic remains confined and curbed there.
- All other religious places have been closed voluntarily. The Muslim society itself should come forward and close with immediate effect all the mosques of India that are still open.
- Those foreign Mullahs and Maulvis with tourist visa who have indulged in the promotion of their religion and fundamentalism, their visa should cancelled and strict legal action taken against them.
- A corona-infected deceased must be mandatorily cremated irrespective of religious affiliation to stop the spread of corona infection.
It should be noted that our fight is limited to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any element whosoever that stands not by the country but by COVID-19 in defiance of government guidelines, it is our expectation that strict action should be taken against them. We want to immediately free the country from this pandemic and take it on the path of development.
Justice (Rtd) Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje, President VHP
Advocate Alok Kumar, Working President VHP
Milind Parande, Secretary General VHP
