New Delhi : Jamaat-e-Islami Hind congratulated the people of Karnataka after the results of the recently held assembly elections were announced. In a statement to the media, the Vice-President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Prof Salim Engineer said, ” Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) applauds the people of Karnataka for defeating the advocates of hate and polarisation. Despite desperate attempts to divide the people of Karnataka along communal lines and polarize them through hatemongering, the people of Karnataka maintained their composure. They did not let the communally surcharged election campaign influence their vote. The people of Karnataka have sent an important message to the people of the country on how to remain united and maintain peace and harmony in the face of instigation and provocation. They have shown that real issues like employment, price rise, health, education, and welfare are more important than emotional issues deliberately created to hide the failures and non-performance of those in power. It is a welcome sign that those who tried to create division in society and resorted to hatemongering were comprehensively defeated in the polls”

The JIH Vice-President said, “The Karnataka election results also send a message to all secular parties. They should take a principled stand on issues like the hijab ban, halal issue, Muslim reservation, and their economic boycott without fearing the political loss they might have to incur. These secular parties and regional parties should learn a lesson from the Karnataka verdict and adopt policies that are based on justice and equality regardless of caste and religious considerations. Denying Muslims their due share of political representation fearing a backlash from the majority community is principally incorrect. The people of Karnataka have given a message that Indian politics should be based on real issues rather than emotional issues or those that cause division and polarization. The parties that believe in reaping benefits by spreading hate should correct their course of action as this policy is not politically sustainable. Thus, the Karnataka results prove that advocating justice for the oppressed, promoting communal harmony, and focussing on development issues is the only way to win elections.”