'Hate speeches affect all equally': BMMA condemns anti-Muslim slogans at Jantar Mantar

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), a secular and rights-based organisation, has condemned the hate speeches given at a meeting called by a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), against the Muslim community at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar earlier this week. It has termed the hateful sloganeering as "an open call to genocide."

"Muslims are as much citizens of India as Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs…and such an open call to arms against Indian citizens needs to be checked and punished by law," said Dr Noorjehan Safia Niaz, co-founder of BMMA. She added, "These criminal hateful pronouncements are against the law of the land and every principle of civilised human behaviour. They go against the principles of shared traditions and co-existence that mark our multi-cultural society. We cannot remain silent when such hate and viciousness is deployed to divide us as citizens and as human beings."

She said, "The Home Minister should make an announcement to reassure the minorities in Delhi. The viral video of the event has spread a sense of fear and insecurity in citizens. They should be assured of security and safety by the Home Minister."

Dr Noorjehan also pointed out, "Such sloganeering and hate speeches affect everyone - both Muslim men and women - equally. Though you are not directly affected because you are not a member of the community, the fear psychosis and insecurity affects everyone. One can only wonder what the youth and children are going through. What we see now is a result of indoctrination - which has become more brazen and state-backed."