Introspection time for Muslims in the Holy month of Ramazan

Soroor Ahmed

A Hindu journalist friend of mine told me that it is unbelieveable that Muslim men in the Holy month of Ramazan would have indulged in such a barbarity and that too with the girls living in the vicinity and of their own community.

As two of the three incidents of such crime which took place in Bihar in the last few days involve Muslims, the question is very valid and one can not shy away from it.

Before this telephonic conversation with him I had a similar talk with a Muslim journalist friend who expressed concern over the situation.

In the first incident in East Champaran district the primne accused is Samiullah, first allegedly committed the crime on June 12. Later his family members took the law in their hands to puish the victim, when Samiullah was attacked with the blade by the girl in self-defence and had to undergo 11 stitches on his private parts. This is what the police said.

The second incident involving a Muslim man took place at Rafiganj in Aurangabad district of Bihar where Azhar attacked a Class-IX girl, Salma, and his mother after he was thrashed by the people of the locality following an alleged attempt to molest her. Both the daughter and mother are battling for their lives in a hospital in neighbouring Gaya district.

The third barbaric incident also took place in East Champaran district last week in which two men, Pramod Sahni and Kamlesh Sahni, have been arrested and the chargesheet against them has been submitted in court. The victim is undergoing treatment in Patna Medical College Hospital and her condition is critical as she received serious internal injuries.

Criminals have no religion, agreed. But sometimes we do take religion into account. That is why even a Hindu friend had to ask as to why these Mulsim men––may be only a handful of them––went to commit such an extreme crime and that too against those living nearby and and that too in this Holy month of Ramazan.

There is silence within the community but in private there is some discussion over these incidents. In between the two telephonic conversation with a Muslim and a Hindu friend––both journalists––I, by chance, met the Bihar unit head of a Muslim organization.

I asked him point-blank as to what is happening in the Muslim society? How is it that such a barbarity and heinous acts are being committed in Ramazan? Or for that matter in any month or against any woman.

He too appeared shocked. However, he also referred to the ADG (Headquarters), Sunil Kumar’s statement in the case of the first East Champaran incident: that it was just an attempted case of rape.
Even if it was just an attempted case––as the ADG said––how is it that the girl suffered such a serious injuries? Even if it was an attempted rape how does it behoves a Muslim in the month of Ramazan––or any other month––to reach to such an extreme with a girl living in the vicinity––or anyone else.

Whether you fast or not Islam demands that the spirit of Ramazan be respected by all Muslims.

I suggested him that Muslim organization(s) should sent a delegation to both these places in East Chamapran and Aurangabad districts––and come out with a report. Even if the ADG’s version is true, than why is it that the girl and her family members had levelled such a charge.

Some serious introspection should be made and one must do some plain speaking. We can not push all such issues under the carpet.

Introspection time for Muslims in the Holy month of Ramazan

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