New Delhi: The National Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Ms. Rahmathunnisa, has voiced strong concern over the alarming rise in crimes against women in India on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Briefing the media at the JIH Monthly Press Conference at their headquarters, Ms. Rahmathunnisa said, the latest NCRB report records 51 cases of crimes against women per 100,000 women in 2022, with a rape reported every 16 minutes. This is alarming and unacceptable. The conviction rate of 69.4% for murder with rape/gang rape drops to 27.4% for rape cases, exposes the grave failure in our system of justice dispensation and is leading to poor deterrence as the NCRB data shows. Recent incidents, including the rape and murder of a medical doctor in Kolkata and the rape of a woman in a bus in Pune, reveal the fragility of women’s safety in our country. The harassment of Union Minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter proves that let alone common women, even VIPs are not safe and secure.” Delving on the moral aspect of the crisis, the JIH National Secretary said, “Thousands of unreported cases of eve-teasing and molestation highlight a deep moral decay in society. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind asserts that real empowerment lies in securing women’s safety, dignity, and rightful place in society. Laws must be enforced effectively, but societal reform is equally crucial. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best among you is the one who has the best morals.” We urge the government, educational institutions, and civil society to instill respect for women from an early age and move beyond tokenism to ensure women are treated with the dignity they deserve.”
The JIH Vice President, Prof. Salim Engineer also addressed the press meet and expressed disappointment at the partisan role played by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for collecting feedback from the concerned stakeholders regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The JIH Vice President said, “Despite widespread opposition, including millions of objections from the public, the bill has been pushed forward, making the consultative process appear meaningless. The bill makes sweeping changes to the Waqf Act, 1995, allowing greater governmental interference in the management of Waqf properties. We wish to reiterate that Waqf properties are not government assets but religious endowments. Any move to dilute Waqf governance and increase state control is unacceptable. The government must withdraw this bill and instead focus on implementing existing Waqf laws effectively, ensuring the protection of Muslim heritage and institutions. We are also disappointed with the parties who claim to be secular but still supported the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. We support the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other Muslim organizations in challenging this law through all constitutional, legal, democratic and peaceful means. We endorse the AIMPLB call for protest on 13th March at Jantar Mantar to oppose the Waqf Bill and appeal to all justice-loving citizens to join the protest in large numbers.”
Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Prof Salim Engineer talked about the “Rising Economic Inequality in India”. Highlighting the latest Indus Valley Annual Report 2025, the JIH Vice President said the report “reveals that the top 10% continue to amass disproportionate wealth, while the bottom 50% struggle for survival. Despite economic reforms, wealth remains concentrated among capitalists and the urban elite, leaving marginalized communities further behind. We urge the government to prioritize poverty eradication and equitable resource distribution through progressive taxation, social welfare programs, and constitutional amendments ensuring access to basic necessities.” Addressing the “Growing Communal Incidents and Hate Crimes Against Religious Minorities”, Prof Salim Engineer said, “We strongly condemn the alarming rise in hate crimes and communal violence against religious minorities. The parading and custodial torture of two men in Madhya Pradesh, the tragic death of an infant during a police raid in Rajasthan, and the targeted demolitions of Muslim-owned shops in Chikahli-Kudalwadi in Maharashtra highlight state complicity and growing communal bias in the country. Muslims are increasingly being vilified to serve divisive political agendas. We call upon the government, law enforcement, and judiciary to uphold constitutional rights and ensure justice. The people of India must resist communal polarization and the threat of fascism. Unity in diversity is the nation’s strength, and all citizens must work together to restore democratic and constitutional values for a just society.”
