'We will stop harassment of Muslims in terror probe', says PM

New Delhi, Aug 21: Describing attempts at association of Islam with terrorism as a ''ghatia saazish''(mean conspiracy), Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today promised firm action against all those who were harassing innocent Muslims in the name of investigation into terrorist activities.

''Terrorism has no religion...I understand you plight and sensitivities as about 15 years ago, all Sikhs were also put under suspicion in similar circumstances,'' the Prime Minister told a conference of Muslim Ulema(scholars) on 'Terrorism: Causes and Remedies' which concluded here this evening.

Any action against terrorism should be based on facts, and not on rumours. If any innocent is harassed, it is against the Constitution, he added.

Mr Singh said he would soon call a meeting of all Chief Minister to discuss the problem of harassment of innocent Muslims by state agencies investigating cases of terror activities.

Responding to the observations of Ulema, Dr Singh said it was true that very often, these agencies turned the probe into terror cases against Muslims indiscriminately.

''I will speak to the Chief Ministers, and the Centre will act to see that the injustice is stopped,'' the Prime Minister said.

His response came when Maulana Athar of Mumbai and other ulemas sought his special attention to the cases of harassment of Mumbai Muslims after the recent serial blasts.

The Maulana wanted to know why the Mumbai administration suspected only Muslims, and not any other forces who might get political benefit out of the blasts or some international agnecies who wanted to disturb the peace of the country.

The Prime Minister asked the Ulema to provide a guidance to Mulsim youth, so that they are not misled by those with vested interest.

''You should guide their thinking and give a new direction to them so that they could contribute to the progress of the country,'' he said.

In this context, the Prime Minister called for modernisation of Madrassas, so that their products armed with modern education were able to earn a living when they came out of the institution. He said the country cannot progress unless 15 crore Muslims of the country remained uneducated and backward. He placed special stress on the education of Muslim women and assured the government's full cooperation and financial assistnace in the task.

The Prime Minister urged the ulema to educate the Muslim youth about their rights, so that they could fight for their due place in society.

He said it was the duty of the government to protect the 15 crore Muslims.

He also suggested for a regular dialogue between the state administrations and Muslims community for removal of misgivings and for a better understanding of the problems of the commnity.

Earlier, Human Resource Development Arjun Singh addressed the meeting and interacted with the Ulema. Rajya Sabha Deputy chairperson K Rehman Khan and Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmad also participated in the meeting.

Later, the ulema in a declaration read out by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind leader Mehmood Madani, expressed concern over the spurt in terrorist activities in the country and called upon all citizens of the country to put up a joint fight against it.

They demanded induction of Muslim youth in security services without any discrimination, mechanism for interaction between law enforcing agencies and the community, stoppage to the harassment of Muslims in the name of probe against terror, responsible and impartial media coverage of terrorist incidents special schemes for promotion of education and economic activity among the community and proportionate representation to the community in all spheres/departments/levels/panchayats in the elected and nominated category.

President of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind told UNI after the confernece that they were satisfied by the assurance given by the Prime Minister and expected his words would be translated into deeds soon.

''Let us hope for the best. We expect the Prime Minister's assurance to be implemented. Let's see what happens in future,'' he added.

Prominent among others who participated in the conference included Maulana Marghuburrahman, rector of Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Burhanuddin Sambhali of Nadwa, Lucknow, Shia cleric Maulana Aqil Al Gharvi, Maulana Ilyas Azami, Maulana Shgifqurrahman Burq, MP, Advocate hakim Yusuf Muchala and Maualan Mughisi of the All India Milli Council, eminent film director Mahesh Bhatt, CPI-M polit bureau member Brinda Karat and a number of social activists.

UNI