‘Act Against Media-Smear Campaign’ Says Nekibur Zaman

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Renowned lawyer Nekibur Zaman on Sunday demanded an immediate crackdown on those spreading smear campaigns against indigenous Muslims on social media.

Addressing a press conference at Dispur Press Club here on Sunday afternoon, Zaman said some forces with vested interests are hell bent on maligning the image of indigenous Muslims on social networking sites. He pointed out that the indigenous Muslims have been living in Assam with various ethnic communities in peace and brotherhood for several hundred years.

“The indigenous Muslim groups are either converts from local communities or war prisoners of the Mughal-Ahom wars. So, we have a completely different identity. The lifestyle, culture, value system, and social customs of the indigenous Muslims are completely different from those of the Muslims of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). But the vested interest groups are spreading a smear campaign in social media with the sole intention to destroy the unique culture and social life of the indigenous Muslims,” Zaman said.

Zaman alleged that slang words are being used in social media to hurt the sentiments and emotions of the indigenous Muslims. He added that the offensive comments on the indigenous Muslims intensified after the recent incident of police assault on three Muslim women in Darrang district.

“The way these smear campaigns are being spread has given dangerous hints that the vested interest groups are trying to create communal tension and divide the Assamese society on communal line. It is high time for the police and administration to launch a crackdown on these vested interest groups. Since any post and comment on the social media causes massive repercussion and provocation, the government must regulate such media so that peace and tranquility in the State is not disturbed,” Zaman said.

According to Zaman, out of 1.18 crore Muslims in the State, 42 lakh belong to the indigenous Assamese communities such as the Gorias, Morias, Ujanis, Deshis, Jolas and Poimals, who had either converted to Islam or were war prisoners in the Mughal-Ahom battles in Assam in the 13th Century.

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