Maharashtra Muslim Groups Form Legal Task Force for Hate-Crime Victims

Maharashtra Muslim Groups Form Legal Task Force for Hate-Crime Victims
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Islamic institutions, civil society groups and Muslim political representatives in India’s Maharashtra state have announced the formation of an emergency task force to provide legal and social support to Muslims affected by hate crimes and anti-Muslim discrimination.

According to Maktoob Media, the decision was taken during a consultative meeting organized by the Federation of Muslims of Maharashtra at the Muslim Sports and Cultural Centre Club in Mumbai.

The meeting brought together Muslim state legislators, former High Court judges, lawyers, civil rights activists and religious scholars to discuss rising concerns over hate crimes, hate speech, restrictive laws affecting religious minorities and proposals linked to a Uniform Civil Code.

Organizers said the task force is not intended to confront any particular political party or government, but to strengthen public awareness and defend basic constitutional rights.

Ilyas Khan Falahi, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Maharashtra, said the group’s main role would be to provide immediate legal and livelihood assistance to victims of religious violence.

Dolfy D’Souza, a member of the Justice and Peace Commission, said public awareness campaigns would also be launched as a preventive measure.

Participants, including former Bombay High Court judge Abhay Thipsay, reportedly supported a resolution calling for the repeal of the anti-conversion law and urged a 10-year strategy to protect democratic values and constitutional safeguards.

The federation also called on Muslims to register widely on electoral rolls and maintain political awareness.