Some names of Muslim freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country during freedom struggle have been erased from history and new generation is hardly aware of the contribution of Muslim martyrs.
All India Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPlB) member Arif Masood, while talking to media persons here on Tuesday, said that lakhs of Muslims including thousands of Ulema gave their lives in the freedom struggle along with Hindu brethren, but new generation isn’t aware of these sacrifices.
Masood, also a former MP Congress spokesperson, said that the movement has begun to create awareness about Muslim freedom fighters’ role in independence. “It is needed because the people should know how Hindus-Muslims jointly fought for independence. In fact, from 1831 Muslim Ulema had begun their movement. Many were sent to Andaman and innumerable Muslims religious scholars were hanged after 1857”, he added.
Masood said, “Right now we are holding weeklong competitions titled ‘Aao milkar jashn e azadi ka pakhwada manyae’ (Come celebrate freedom fortnight) for children starting today. In these competitions knowledge of children about freedom movement would be tested in quiz programmes and other competitions. They will be given awards. The biggest programme would be held it Itwara on August 15.”
Masood further said that NCERT and Governments didn’t do justice in this regard. "The names were steadily removed from history and books including text books. We have communicated with all agencies in this regard and we are now planning to move to Supreme Court regarding the issue of texts omitting the contribution of Muslim freedom fighters.”
“Also, as part of the movement, we have started compiling books which we will provide to schools, especially, private ones so that new generation is aware of contribution of Muslim leaders”, he added.
He also provided a long list of hundreds of Muslim freedom fighters, martyrs and their contribution.