According to a report in the Times of India, the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) has called for the Supreme Court’s intervention in a case involving two individuals who raised the slogan ‘Jai Shri Ram’ inside a mosque in Karnataka. Mujibur Rahman, the general secretary of TNTJ, stated that the criminal case against these individuals should be quashed to restore justice.
During a press conference held after meeting with Puducherry Lok Sabha member V. Vaithilingam, Rahman expressed that the Karnataka High Court’s ruling has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. “We plead with the Supreme Court to intervene and restore justice,” he remarked.
In addition, Rahman condemned the BJP-led NDA government’s recent decision to amend the Wakf Board Bill, which includes 44 changes that could potentially dismantle longstanding Islamic institutions in the country and diminish their powers. He emphasized the need for the parliamentary committee on the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, established by the Union government, to propose measures that will safeguard the properties of Wakf Boards.
Rahman criticized the Union government for attempting to amend the Wakf Board Bill without regard for Section 30 of the Wakf Act. He highlighted that the proposed amendments would prohibit non-Muslims from donating to Wakf Boards while allowing them to hold administrative positions within these boards.
Background
A few days ago, the Karnataka High Court dismissed the criminal case against two individuals accused of chanting “Jai Shri Ram” slogans inside a mosque, ruling that such behavior does not offend religious sentiments, according to a report. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over a single-judge bench, questioned how the slogans could potentially harm the feelings of any community.
The court highlighted that Hindus and Muslims in the region coexist peacefully. The accused faced various charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including outraging religious feelings, criminal trespass, public mischief, and criminal intimidation.
The judges noted the complainant’s acknowledgment of the harmonious relationship between Hindus and Muslims in the area, stating that allowing further legal action would constitute an abuse of the judicial process. Referencing a Supreme Court ruling, the bench pointed out that not every action is an offense under Section 295A of the IPC, which pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to insult religious feelings.
“Section 295A deals with deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. It is not understandable as to how if someone shouts ‘Jai Shri Ram’ it would outrage the religious feeling of any class,” the court said in its order, according to a report in Live Law. The court further emphasized that given the complainant’s assertion of communal harmony, the incident could not reasonably lead to conflict.
The incident in question occurred on 24 September 2023, when the accused allegedly entered the mosque around 10:50 PM and shouted slogans while making threats. Initially reported as unknown individuals, they were later apprehended. However, the accused contested the charges and filed an appeal, resulting in the quashing of the case.
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