After Christians, govt orders Muslim census

AHMEDABAD, Feb 14: Like Christians, a survey of Muslims is also being conducted by the intelligence wing of the Gujarat Police. A 10-poin...

AHMEDABAD, Feb 14: Like Christians, a survey of Muslims is also being conducted by the intelligence wing of the Gujarat Police. A 10-point circular has been sent to district police chiefs and police commissioners seeking information about Muslims, their organisations, educational institutions, religious congregations and persons involved in undesirable activities.

However, unlike in the case of Christians, where information is required to check 8220;conflicts between Hindu and Christians8221;, the circular on the survey of Muslims does not specify any purpose. While Director-General of Intelligence R N Bhattacharya was not available for comment, Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya said it was 8220;a routine intelligence-gathering exercise8221;, undertaken by the intelligence wing on its own.

Issued on February 1, the circular seeks information about activities of Muslim organisations, in general, and Students Islamic Movement of India, in particular. It seeks names and addresses of their leaders; the number of Darul Ulema, whether these are recognised, what type of degrees they give, which foreign countries they get funds from and details about their students.

Further, the circular seeks details about the organisers of and participants in Iztema-khas; details of persons involved in communal riots, and 8220;having a communal mentality8221;; those trading in narcotics or involved in smuggling; persons detained under PASA and other laws in the past; those involved in incidents of knifing, serious fights and murders; political leaders who help and support them; and Pakistani citizens.

Said Hanif Lakdawala, a social activist, 8220;The circular has created a sense of insecurity among Muslims8221;. The government claim that it was a routine exercise does not inspire confidence, he said, adding, 8220;First, they sent an offensive circular about Christians, now about Muslims. A criminal is a criminal. Why talk of his community8221;?

SIMI leader Arif Sheikh said some policemen had visited their office recently, asking for details of their members, but 8220;we refused8221;. 8220;The government is targeting us because we have been highlighting the anti-minority character of the Sangh Parivar8221;, Sheikh said, 8220;The circular shows the extent of penetration of police by communal elements8221;.

Usman Qureshi, general secretary of the Forum for Social Justice, said the circular showed 8220;a communal bias8221;, like the circular on Christians. 8220;We will use all constitutional and peaceful methods to oppose it. No one can force us to give information8221;, he asserted.

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While the forum is planning to approach the Gujarat High Court, which has already asked the government to explain the survey of Christians, other organisations are planning to take out a silent march and lodge complaints with the Minorities Commission and the National Human Rights Commission.

Human rights activists and political parties have also criticised the circular. Deva Vrat Pathank, president of the Gujarat chapter of the People8217;s Union for Civil Liberties, said the government should refrain from 8220;such foolish actions8221;. It was unfortunate that such things are happening 8220;in the constituency of the Union Home Minister8221;, Pathak said.

Congress vice-president Hasmukh Patel said the survey of Muslims, like the survey of Christians, showed the 8220;anti-minority character of the BJP8221;.