Muslims and the Media

A section of media gives an impression that Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Jammu & Kashmir and India are one and the same hence responsible for each other’s activities. In fact, just after partition of India, like the Communist Party, Muslim League, Jamiat-ul-Ulema, etc., Jamaat-e-Islami was also partitioned. Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu & Kashmir also broke away from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind a few years after partition and became independent. Like other divided parties, there had been no link between these four jamaats. Their leaderships, constitutions, policies and programmes have been independent and separate ever since. Is it fair and justified to blame Jamaat-e-Islami Hind for the acts of Bangladeshi Jamaat or Pakistani Jamaat or J&K Jamaat?

The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind should be judged by its vast literature in various Indian languages, by its constitution, by its constructive, humanitarian and peaceful policies and programmes and by the character and activities of its members and by its 64 years brilliant record of national, social and humanitarian services. The Jamaat-e-Islami Hind should not be judged by the professions and practices of Bangladeshi or Pakistani or Kashmiri Jamaat. This is true in case of other parties also.

G. Hasnain Kaif

Bhandara, M.S.