Jamaat and APCR Condemn Gaza Violence, UP Crackdown, and Voter List Irregularities in Bihar
Civil rights groups slam Israel’s actions in Gaza, allege police overreach in Uttar Pradesh, and raise concerns over mass voter deletions in Bihar.
New Delhi: Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) have strongly condemned what they described as ongoing human rights violations from Gaza to parts of India during a joint press conference held in the national capital.
Marking two years since the Gaza conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, JIH Vice President Prof. Saleem Engineer said that Israel’s continued military actions amount to “genocide,” carried out with the support or silence of major global powers. “Nearly one lakh Palestinians have been killed including women and children. Hospitals, schools, and refugee camps are being bombed, and basic humanitarian aid is being blocked,” he said.
Prof. Saleem criticized the international community, particularly the United States, for failing to stop the violence. “People across the world are coming out in support of Palestine, while governments remain silent,” he said. He also urged the Indian government to stand firm on its historic support for Palestine and avoid compromising its moral position by aligning too closely with Israel.
He expressed cautious optimism about the U.S.-backed peace plan but insisted that any solution must be rooted in justice. “This is not just a conflict — it’s a humanitarian disaster and a moral failure on the global stage,” he added.
UP Accused of Targeting Muslims
Jamaat’s Vice President Malik Moatasim Khan turned his focus to Uttar Pradesh, accusing the state government of turning the region into a “police state.” He alleged that law enforcement agencies are being used to target Muslims under the guise of maintaining order.
“People are being arrested just for writing or displaying the phrase ‘I love Muhammad’ — whether on their homes, shops, or even online,” he said. “Even minors are being booked under serious charges like promoting enmity.”
Khan also pointed to the controversial use of bulldozers in demolitions, calling it a symbol of political vendetta often carried out without following legal procedures. He noted that Uttar Pradesh leads the country in crimes against Dalits, women, and Muslims, and called for the release of all those detained under what he termed false or communal charges.
Bihar Voter Roll Changes Raise Alarm
APCR National Secretary Nadeem Khan highlighted serious concerns regarding the recent Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) in Bihar. He claimed that the process was rushed and lacked transparency. “In most areas, people had only a month to submit documents, and Booth Level Officers themselves filled out the forms. Less than 2% of applicants received any receipt or acknowledgment,” he alleged.
According to preliminary figures shared by APCR, over 67 lakh names were removed from the voter list while only 27 lakh were added resulting in a net loss of 47 lakh voters. Khan claimed that 33% of the deletions were from Muslim-majority areas, even though Muslims constitute just 16.9% of the state’s population.
He warned that such selective deletions could be an attempt to alter Bihar’s political landscape, especially ahead of elections.
Systemic Targeting and Legal Violations
APCR also reported that in several towns across Uttar Pradesh, more than 1,300 people mostly Muslims were slapped with FIRs under vague or questionable charges. Many demolitions, especially those targeting Waqf properties, were reportedly carried out despite ongoing legal proceedings.
Khan said these actions represent a “constitutional crisis” and called on the Election Commission to immediately pause the implementation of the new voter rolls until a fair and transparent verification process is completed.
Both JIH and APCR called upon citizens, civil society groups, and the judiciary to step in and safeguard democratic and constitutional values, both at home and abroad.
