Journalism of Courage
The Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an affiliate of the RSS, is set to organise flag hoisting ceremonies at nearly 1,500 madarsas across the country on Republic Day. MRM patron and senior RSS leader Indresh Kumar will himself hoist the Tricolour at a madrasa in Rai Purani, near Panchkula in Haryana.
“Our programme is to hoist the Tricolour and recite patriotic songs at all madrasas as is done at other educational institutions,” said Kumar, adding that MRM has appealed to its workers across the country to organise such functions.
The MRM decided to go ahead with the latest programme at a two-day meet held in Varanasi last week. Apart from the flag hoisting, the MRM will also organise an “Insaniyat Jagao” programme at several Muslim localities between February 18-25.
“The flag hoisting will be followed by the Insaniyat Jagao (awaken humanity) programme at nearly 1200 places. During that we will recite Ayat-e-Karima (verses of the Holy Quran) for peace, harmony and development, and for elimination of terrorism from the country and good relationship with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh,” said Gireesh Juyal, national convenor of the MRM and a former RSS pracharak. He said the Ayat-e-Karima will be recited at nearly 100 Muslim-dominated localities in Delhi itself as part of the programme.
Reminded about the possible opposition from Muslim leaders, Juyal said that at the ground level MRM faced no such opposition. “During last Republic Day there was no such resistance. Over 1,400 madrasas hoisted the national flag and chanted Madar-e-Watan Zindabad with no resistance. This year may be different due to political reasons, but we do not care,” he said.
The MRM, which has been working among the Muslims since 2002, claims to have a reach in over 9000 places across the country. It maintains that the latest programme is meant to remind the students of thousands of Muslim scholars who laid down their lives during the freedom struggle.
