On August 2, 1994, the All India Milli Council
launched a public movement through its All India Anti-TADA convention at Ambedkar
Auditorium, New Delhi, to repeal the inhuman law of TADA.It later on converted into
'Peoples Movement of India (PMI) which gained very effective support not only from
prominent lawyers, legal experts, Human Rights Organisations, Ulama and intellectuals and
leaders of various Muslim organisations The Milli Council
also rejected the new Bill (the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 1995) introduced in
Parliament. Ultimately, this draconian law was repealed on May 23, 1995 with the untiring
efforts of the All India Milli Council.
On December 3, 1994 an All India Convention on "Communal Violence
and Enforcement of Law" was held under the aegis of the All
India Milli Council. More than 300 delegates from Delhi and other states
participated in the convention. It is one of the basic objectives of the AIMC to mobilise the public opinion for curbing the tendencies of
ever increasing fascism, communal hatred and violence, and to promote freternal feelings
among all the cultural and religious units in India.
The 'All India Deeni Madaris Convention' was held on 23-25,1994 at
'Aiwan-e- Ghalib' and 'Bachchon Ka Ghar', Daryaganj, New Delhi under the aegis of AIMC. It addressed itself to three Main Issues: (i) to remove all
conflicts existing among the various Madrasas in the country. (ii) to make the syllabi of
the Madrasas uptodate and preparing the students to carry out 'Dawah' in regional
languages (iii) to ward off the false allegations of the communal fascist forces alongwith
the government that have started a conspiracy to declare the Madrasas as the breeding
grounds for ISI agents and anti-national activities.
Under its Educational Scholarship Scheme, the AIMC
awarded Rs.1,24,500/- to 249 students of class VI from various states in the academic year
1994-1995, Rs.2,00,000 among 89 students for Technical and Professional Courses during
1995-96 and Rs.3,03,000/- to 194 students from Assam, Bihar, Orissa, W.B., U.P.,
Rajasthan, Maharashtra & Andhra Pradesh etc. enrolled in Medical, Engineering,
B.Pharma, Polytechnic and different courses of ITI etc. in the academic session 1996-1997.
The All India Milli Council has also worked
for providing relief to people affected by natural calamities.
The circular of the Chief Election Commission of India dated May 18,1993
created a havoc in the Muslim Community as it was meant to delete some 22,000 Muslim names
from the electoral roll of Assam. The AIMC recorded its
strongest ever protest against this move. On Dec. 10, 1993, a high-level delegation of the
Milli Council called on Mr. T.N. Seshan, the then Chief
Election Commissioner. Unfortunately, Mr. Seshan refused to review the circular. Thereupon
the Milli Council filed a writ petition in the High court
against the circular. The H.C declared the circular totally unconstitutional on
January 28, 1994. The CEC appealed to the Supreme Court against the judgement. But the
Supreme Court upheld the judgement of the High Court on May 15, 1994. Thus, the 22,000
Muslim voters of Assam were saved from being declared foreigners with the efforts of the All India Milli Council.
The All India Milli Council, in connection
with the 50th year celebrations of nation's Independence, organised a 48-day Karvan-e-Azadi
which toured major cities, towns and rural areas of 17 states of the country. On Sept. 21,
1997 the Karvan started its national-level journey from Srirangapatnam, Mysore
(Karnataka), led by Quazi Mujahidul Islam Quasmi, Secretary
General, AIMC, and paid homages to the great
martyrs and others who sacrificed their lives fighting against the Britishers on May
4, 1799. The Karvan by traversing the length and breadth of the country tried not only to
arouse a new zeal in the hearts of the Muslims but also coveyed true meanings of freedom,
democracy and secularism to the people of India. The Karvan through its historical journey
highlighted the sacrifices offered by the Muslims in the freedom struggle. The Karvan
brought forth the historical deeds of Muslim freedom-fighters which had been kept back
intentionally. It also unearthed the conspiracies aiming at oblerating the glorious
contribution of Muslims in the freedom struggle. It asked the Muslims to develop
self-confidence and lead a courageous and bold life. The karvan (Freedom March) concluded
at Delhi on Nov.7, 1997. These efforts of the Milli Council were appreciated by all and at
every place the Karvan was accorded warm welcome by members of all committies.
The Milli Council, through this grand exercise of
intellectual renaissance not only highlighted the historical role of the Muslims in the
freedom struggle, their political, cultural and social contributions and achievement but
also presented the National Agenda for the development of the country.
Through the National Agenda it was conveyed that the present political system of the
country was totally decayed.To mark the golden jublee year of independence, the
AIMC brought out a set of 15 books and booklets alongwith audio-cassettes
throwing light on the contribution of the largest minority community to the independence
struggle.The most remarkable point was the demonstration of the spirit of composite
heritage everywhere the Karvan visited. A 37-page White Paper
was released addressed to the Central and State governments, national and state
legislatures, political parties, judiciary, media, Human Rights Organisations and the
intelligentia. The White Paper throws light on what we gained and lost during the last 50
years from the Muslims' point of view. The AIMC believes that
the only solution to the ills affecting the country is Federalism. The idea of
Federalism was incorporated in the country's constitution,but excessive centralisation of
power displayed by successive governments in Dehli has obscured the federal character of
India. The Karavan-e-Azadi presented a memorundum of demands
before government and the masses and expressed in no uncertain terms that the largest
minority of the country which offered exemplary sacrifices in the freedom struggle will
also be in the fore-front in the exercise of the reconstruction and progress of the
country.
I On Jan. 25, 1993, a one-member Srikrishna Enquiry Commission was
constituted to probe into the dreaded killing of Muslims in Mumbai during the infamous
Communal riots of Dec. 6, 1992 and Jan. '93 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The AIMC acted immediately and decided on Feb. 4, 1993 to represent the
victims before the Commission. The Milli Council constituted
a 4-member Committee under the leadership of the renowned lawyer, Mr. Y.H. Muchhala. This
committee also included the famous criminal lawyer, Mr. Noor Mohammed Bhasker, Mr. Sayeed
Kurro (Advocate) and Mr. Saifuddin (Advocate). The committee played a significant role in
arranging and producing witnesses before the commission during the course of enquiry and
very successfully sought justice for the victims. The Milli Council
guided this committee at every stage and met a large part of the expenses incurred
therein.
Quazi Mujahidul Islam Quasmi
Secretary General
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