We are willing to continue dharna indefinitely: Advocate Shoib on Rihai Manch By M Reyaz, TwoCircles.net, TCN spoke with Advocate Mohammad Shoaib, Chairman of Rihai Manch on their struggle for justice. Excerpts: TCN: We congratulate you on sustained struggle for justice. However, two months are over and we do not see any development from the government? Advocate Shoaib: The SP government has become arrogant and has not bothered to even have any talks with the protesters. The government is using ‘indefinite’ delaying tactics, but even we are adamant and will continue dharna till our demands are met with. TCN: Has any representative of the government approached you or tried to mediate for some kind of talk? Advocate Shoaib: No representative of the government, either directly or indirectly, ever approached us. Yes certain clergy requested me to accompany him to meet the UP CM, but I refused since I was never officially called and I did not want to broker any deal with the government. TCN: Samajwadi Party came back to power with the support of the Muslim votes and had even promised to withdraw cases against innocent Muslims youths who are languishing in jail for years. Why do you think the government has failed to deliver? Advocate Shoaib: SP government is fooling the people, particularly the Muslim community. If thy had any intention of delivering, take for example Tariq Qasmi and Khalid Mujahid case, they would have made the Nimesh Commission report that indicts the police officers public and that could have been the basis of their withdrawal of cases in court. Instead, they relied on withdrawing cases in “public interest and for the sake of communal harmony” simply to fool Muslims and mislead courts. TCN: But if the government does not even appear bothered, for how long do you intend to continue the protest? Advocate Shoaib: Of course they are feeling the heat. The attack on our tent at the dharna site is an example of their frustration. We will continue with the dharna through out Ramadan and at least till the Assembly session begins and will decide on future course of action, after they table the RD Nimesh Commission report in the house and based on what actions government takes on the Nimesh Commission report. Our demands remain the same justice for Khalid Mujahid family, actions on the Nimesh Commission report, prosecute the guilty police officials. Else we are willing to even continue the dharna indefinitely if the government turns deaf... Related: Indefinite dharna of Rihai Manch completes two months Huge gap between words and actions of SP Govt: Rihai Manch President twocircles.net/2013jul21/we_are_willing_continue_dharna_indefinitely_if_govt_turns_deaf_advocate_shoib_rihai_manch_
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 14:38:37 +0000
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