PUBLIC STATEMENT
ON THE ISSUE OF
TABLEEGHI JAMAAT MARKAZ AT DELHI
A great deal of anxiety has arisen on account of the congregation at the international headquarters of Tableeghi Jamaat at Markaz, Delhi.
As responsible Indians, at the outset, we recognize that better care and discretion should have been exercised by the organizers in both, handling this gathering [called the Ijtema] and in managing its aftermath.
Since a lot of misinformation pervades, we owe to our countrymen to clarify some points. The Ijtema scheduled several months ago took place from 13th through 15th March 2020, much before restrictions were imposed by the government on gathering and travel.
As it is, on any normal day throughout the year, the Markaz hosts 1000-2000 visitors, besides hundreds of permanent residents. About 3,400 people – including a few dozen foreigners with valid visas, duly cleared at the airports – attended it.
Those that see some conspiracy behind this gathering may be informed that this is an annual event, held in many countries, about the same time. Just as the Delhi Ijtema was on, one was going on in Pakistan, attended by 250,000 Muslims.
More than half of the attendees left within a day or two of the conclusion of the Ijtema. The organizers, unfortunately, allowed the remaining attendees to stay beyond this. Though this did not violate the law, better appreciation of Corona / Covid-19 pandemic related guidelines could have guided them to hurry their exit during this time.
Lack of urgency, and the difficulty of arranging vehicles and drivers, delayed full evacuation. Then, suddenly the 14-hour Janata curfew was imposed on 22nd March. This was immediately followed by the Delhi lock-down the very next morning, and the national lock-down from 25th March, suspending all public transport. As a result, the attendees got stranded.
For sending the visitors to their homes the Jamaat requested for passes so that the vehicles might travel through various states without trouble. This, unfortunately, did not come in time. The Jamaat responded to the Police notice dated 24th March within hours, seeking travel permission for the stranded attendees.
Thus, it may be seen that the Jamaat obeyed the law but lacked the appreciation of seriousness of Corona crisis. Knowledge about Covid-19 and ways to restrict it have been evolving. What we know today was not known yesterday.
Dozens of religious functions, melas and gatherings – some much larger than this congregation – have been organized during, and even after, this duration, throughout India by various communities. The unexpected labour migration huddled lakhs of people together, thwarting social distancing. Sadly, indiscretions and lapses have been committed by many of us. In hindsight all of us – including the Jamaat – realize the gravity of the situation, and must profoundly regret the ordeal this has caused the nation and its innocent citizens. We share the anxieties of the people and stand by the government in controlling the damage.
If these indiscretions amount to violation of law, then the law must take its due course. However, then, it must apply equally in respect of all such indiscretions, without distinction.
Disturbingly, for some time, hordes of troublemakers have been circulating completely fake news and malicious rumours, making wild allegations against the Tableeghis, and against Muslims in general – ranging from spitting and sneezing to defecating and nudity. Mercifully, the police, responsible media and social activists have debunked these.
The Tableeghis are generally known as a law-abiding people that practice piety, austerity and communal peace. Science appreciation is not one of their traits, though. Thus, at the worst they may be held guilty of Corona-jihalat [ignorance], but certainly not of the so-called Corona-jihad. What happened was more suicidal than murderous, for they themselves were its worst victims!
It may be noted that the Jamaat has handed lists of attendees with their contact details. Barring a few dozen that are hiding – due to misplaced scare – everyone has been traced and tested. Therefore, we know their casualties. Hundreds of thousands of other people whose details are not known, and who have not been tested, are by no means beyond suspicion of infection.
Corona spread, as we now know, follows typical trajectories. It has devastated the Western world, where the Jamaat played no role. Covid-19 was destined to spread throughout India and its casualties were mathematically modelled much before the Jamaat congregation. Yes, sadly, these indiscretions have further worsened the situation, even if unintentionally.
Tableeghis constitute a fraction of all Muslims. Therefore, neither blaming all Muslims for their indiscretion, nor blaming the Tableeghis beyond their indiscretion, is just and fair.
We the signatories declare that we decry all such indiscretions, and specially the failure of the Markaz to decongest the premises faster. We also demand that the missing Tableeghis report to authorities immediately, and urge the Muslim community to help trace them swiftly. Besides hurting the nation, these people are jeopardizing their own, and their families’ health.
The central and the state governments have a herculean task on their hand. Defeating Covid-19 requires concerted effort by all of us. Communal polarization is dangerous at any time. But at this critical time, it is certainly ruinous for our beloved nation.
We appeal to all the people of India – and specially to Muslims – to follow health advisories about Corona, to faithfully obey the law, cooperate with the authorities, take care of our poor and to work as one person to face this calamity.
We also place on record our collective gratitude to our illustrious health workers and law enforcers for their heroic effort to protect us from this deathly virus.
Let us work unitedly to defeat Corona, and to rebuild our bruised nation afresh, tall and mighty.