Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Chidambaram MP Thirumavalavan bestowed the “Quaid-E-Millath Pirai” award upon SN Sikander, the Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in Tamil Nadu, for “advocating peace among different religious groups.”
Jamaat-E-Islami is an Islamist fundamentalist outfit that operates in India as Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. It is banned in Russia and Bangladesh. Thirumavalavan appears to overlook the disturbing actions and ideologies of this organisation, which is responsible for violence and terrorism in several countries. This notorious organisation is reportedly carrying out several atrocities on Hindu minorities, including brutal rape and abduction of Hindu women, in the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh.
This award to a radical Islamist organisation raises concerns about Thirumavalavan’s stance on religious extremism.
Bangladesh Turmoil, Hindu Minority Persecuted by JeI
Since the forceful removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, there have been disturbing incidents of attacks on Hindus, their homes, and places of worship. These Islamic groups have unleashed destruction on the streets, instilling a climate of fear within minority communities, particularly Hindus.
Previous reports have revealed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and the Bangladeshi branch of JeI were the key orchestrators behind the campaign to oust Hasina. It is crucial to note that JeI is a banned extremist group that was held accountable for the massacre of Hindus and Bengali-speaking Muslims during the 1971 Bangladeshi independence war. The takeover of Bangladesh by these extremist Islamic groups, especially the JeI, has led to a concerning situation where minority communities, particularly Hindus, are facing targeted attacks, the destruction of their homes and places of worship, and an atmosphere of terror.
Against this background, social media highlighted the fear experienced by Hindu groups due to Islamic factions in neighbouring countries.
Quaid-E-Millath Pirai
The mention of Jamaat-e-Islami served as a trigger, reminding of an event where the Chidambaram MP gav the “Quaid-E-Millath Pirai” award upon JeI Secretary SN Sikander, for advocating peace among different religious groups.
Thirumavalavan praised SN Sikander for his various contributions and actions, stating, “He (Sikander) joined the Indian Islamic Students Organization and played a key role in disciplining the student community, guiding them on the path of morality. When he was the Tamil Nadu president of the organisation, he actively lobbied against the use of violent drugs. In 2004, Sikander helped to build permanent houses for the people affected by the tsunami in the Kotakuppam areas of Nagoor. Notably, he went against the majority opinion of “one country, one language, one culture” and created the television series “Manuda Vasantham,” which promoted the message of pluralism to the masses. Sikander was instrumental in the foundation and formation of the ‘Welfare Party.’ He acted as the secretary at the all-India level and continued to be a member of the General and Executive Committee.”
Thirumavalavan highlighted that Sikander worked efficiently as the president of the Welfare Party’s Tamil Nadu unit from 2011 to 2021. Additionally, Thirumavalavan noted that Sikander actively participated in the hydrocarbon protest in Thiruvarur, supported the farmers’ protest, and opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), protesting against it.
Thirumavalavan finally said, “We are proud to present the 2024 Quaid-E-Millath Pirai Award to Sikander, who is the Tamil Nadu Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and a member of the editorial board of the magazine “Samarasam”, a bi-monthly, for his contribution to religious harmony.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind founded as an offshoot of the Jamaat-e-Islami which is seen as the force behind the fall of Bangladesh.
Names change but the agenda is always the same… pic.twitter.com/fFoLYu90Y6— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) August 8, 2024
Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), a notorious Islamist organisation, has a long history of reigning terror in both India and other states. This extremist group has been responsible for a multitude of atrocities over the years.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) – A Proxy For Pakistani Army In Bangladesh?
The Bangladeshi branch of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) was crucial in establishing auxiliary forces for the Pakistani army during the 1971 Bangladeshi independence war. These forces, including Razakar, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and the Peace Committee, actively participated in atrocities against Bengali freedom fighters, particularly the Hindu population. JeI and its forces were responsible for the ruthless killing of hundreds of thousands of Hindu men, women, and children, as well as the rape of numerous Hindu women and girls.
The International Crimes Tribunals in Bangladesh have labelled JeI’s actions during the 1971 war as actively aiding the Pakistani occupation forces. JeI was founded by Muslim Brotherhood leader Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi with the aim of Islamic dominance and unifying the world under Islam’s banner.
In response to JeI’s terrorism and extremist Islamic factions, the Bangladeshi government has outlawed the group and its student wing, Chhatra Shibir, as terrorist organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009. However, the student wing, allegedly supported by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, has continued to incite violence under the guise of student protests, leading to violent acts against the democratically elected government of Sheikh Hasina.
JeI is not only active in Bangladesh but is believed to be connected to its parent organisation, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, which is associated with other banned terror groups. The group operates in major countries worldwide, including India, Europe, the UK, and the USA, and has had a presence in Europe since the 1960s.
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has been a prominent figure in electoral politics. It has a history of using violence, particularly through its militant student wing, Islami Janiat-e-Talaba, which gained control of several urban colleges and universities. The group maintains strong ties with various militant organisations, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood.
In addition to terrorist acts, JeI has been involved in financing and aiding other terrorist groups globally, as well as inciting the Muslim world to act against India over the Kashmir issue. The group has been collecting funds worldwide under the guise of charitable activities, such as a recent fundraising event in Brooklyn, New York, to aid flood victims in Pakistan, with the proceeds allegedly funneled to the Alkhidmat Foundation, the charity branch of Jamaat-e-Islami.
JeI Terror Activities In India
The social unrest and collapse of democracy in Bangladesh pose a threat of a humanitarian crisis along the Indian border. Additionally, the rise of extremism in the region, specifically with the banned JeI gaining influence, raises security concerns for India. It is noteworthy that JeI is proscribed not only in Bangladesh but also in India and Russia.
Following the Pulwama terror attack in India that resulted in the deaths of 40 CRPF members, the Indian government banned JeI in February 2019. During the crackdown, authorities detained 350 leaders of the extremist group, froze 70 bank accounts in Srinagar, seized assets worth ₹52 crore, and took legal action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The actions also impacted 400 schools, 350 mosques, and 1000 seminaries associated with the separatist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. Estimates in 2019 indicated that Jamaat-e-Islami possessed properties valued at ₹4,500 crores.
In February 2023, the Indian government extended the ban on JeI in Jammu and Kashmir for an additional five years, categorising it as an “unlawful association.” This decision came shortly after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches related to a terrorism funding case involving the JeI branch in Kashmir. The operations led to the confiscation of over Rs 20 lakh, incriminating documents, and electronic devices linked to the group’s activities and associated trusts.
Pursuing PM @narendramodi Ji's policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and separatism the government has extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir for five years. The organisation is found continuing its activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) February 27, 2024
NIA investigation revealed that JeI members advocated for terrorism in J&K even after the organisation was banned in 2019. In December 2022, the J&K State Investigation Agency (SIA) took control of numerous properties belonging to the Jamaat in four districts of the Kashmir Valley, valued at Rs 100 crore.
The extremist organisation follows the doctrines of Hasan Al Banna, Syed Qutb, and Maulana Maududi, which advocate for political and societal alignment with Sharia law. The group has been suspected of covertly aiding the Hizbul Mujahideen, the leading local terrorist group in Kashmir, despite publicly distancing itself from the group in 1997.
Reports suggest that JeI is backing calls for secession from India and assisting terrorist and separatist organisations. Beyond terrorist acts, JeI Hind has been fostering and endeavouring to normalise radicalism and extremism in India. In October 2023, the group’s Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) branch organised an event to express ‘solidarity’ with the Hamas terrorists who perpetrated mass killings of civilians in Israel, further highlighting its extremist activities.
(With inputs from OpIndia)
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