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History of IUML

Posted by Admin History of IUML 11:27 AM

History of IUML

In the Constituent Assembly, lead by Qaid-e-Millat M. Muhammad Ismail Saheb, the IUML members, particularly B. Pocker Sabheb, B.A.,B.L., Mehboob Ali Beig Saheb, B. A., B.L. and K.T.M. Ahmed Ibrahim Sahib, B.A, B.L. displayed remarkable parliamentary talents and political vision at the crucial time when on the one hand, the Constitution was on the anvil and on the other hand, the country and its largest minority - the Muslims - were passing through their most difficult times.

In the drafting of the Constituion, the IUML strove:-

* to guard against any encroachments on the principles of federalism and the individual liberty of the citizens
* to uphold the rights and interests of, and to work for just and fair deal to, the minorities

In particular, the IUML strove to provide for :-

* every citizen, the right to follow the personal (religious) law of the group or community to which he belonged
* the right of the child to education in its mother tongue
* religious instruction to pupils in their respective religions
* protection of fundamental rights of citizens
* a single class of citizenship with full citizenship rights for all, irrespective of caste or creed
* reservation for Muslims and other minorities
* Constitutional recognition of Urdu as a National Language
* electoral system appropriate for our society; and various other issues

Since Independence:

Functioning since the Independence of the country, the IUML has a voluminous record of service with outstanding achievements, including:-

* successful campaign for the protection of the Muslim Personal Law or the 'Sharia' - leading to Prime Minister Pandit Nehru's historic letter to Quaid-e-Millat Ismail Saheb giving an assurance (though not fully satisfactory) that no change in the Muslim Personal Law is likely to be made unless Muslims themselves desire it in particular
* successful representation during the dreadful period of emergency in the country for dropping of such amendments to the Constitution, suggested by the Swaran Singh Committee, as would make it the fundamental duty of every citizen to observe Directive Principles which include the uniform civil code in place of the 'Sharia' and to adopt other practices contrary to religious tenets
* successful compaign, during the emergency, against compulsory sterilization. In Maharashtra, in particular, the IUML was successful in preventing the Compulsion Bill to become a law. The IUML opposed it vehemently in Legislative Assembly and the Joint Select Committee, and when the Bill was passed, placed a memorandum signed by nearly seven and half lakh citizens before the President, who finally with-held his assent to the Bill
* success in the agitation for (i) recognition of the minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University and (ii) removal of inroads into 'Sharia" consequent to Shahbanu Case, particularly through historic non-official Bills in the Lok Sabha leading to the Government bringing in the official Bills for the purposes
* successful campaign and parliamentary work to secure for Muslims -
(i) exemption from the un-Islamic adoption law
(ii) amendments of the income-tax provisions mandating trusts and 'awkafs' to invest a particular portion of their assets, in government securities, to the exclusion of land and buildings and
(iii) economic and educational measures for the minorities, including reservations, protection of economic and business interests, establishment of Minority Financial Corporation, due status of Urdu, etc
* relief work related to unfortunate communal riots, maintenance of peace, justice to and rehabilitation of the victims and representations to commissions of inquiry
* successful defence in the Mumbai High Court of the
(i) 'Shariat' law of inheritance
(ii) the right of the deprived millions to vote and
(iii) the right to make sacrificial offerings on Id-ul-Adha
* strong support for the cause of the Babri Masjid in Supreme Court through the Government and the legislature of Kerala
* In Kerala, securing, among others -
(i) reservation in services and educational institutions for Muslims and other minorities
(ii) formation of the district of Malappuram
(iii) stipends for ulemas
(iv) schools and colleges for Muslims and other minority organisations etc
* success in securing enactment of a law to protect the status of every place of worship as it existed on 15 August 1947 (Independence Day)
* strong opposition to the enactment of unjust laws like TADA, POTA etc
* bold representation to the Librahan Commission of Inquiry on the 'Shahadat' of the Babri Masjid
* opposition to the inroads into the historic and Islamic character of the Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

A politician and an Islamic scholar from the Indian state of Kerala.
Mohammadali Shihab Thangal
A politician and an Islamic scholar from the Indian state of Kerala.
Mohammadali Shihab Thangal

Panakkad Syed
A politician and an Islamic scholar from the Indian state of Kerala.
Mohammadali Shihab Thangal

Panakkad Syed
A politician and an Islamic scholar from the Indian state of Kerala.
Mohammadali Shihab Thangal

* active representations and defence on issues concerning
(ii) right to religious conversions
(iv) misrepresentation of Islam
(v) harassment on pretext of being illegal immigrants * presentation of Muslim position on 'Bande Mataram' and promotion of proper solution of the controversy
* opposition to terrorism, both external and internal * courageous representation, at all times, of the concerns and interests of the Muslims, the minorities and the backward
* promotion of national interests
In addition, the State units of the IUML have a distinct track record, led by the unique and distinguished record of service by the Kerala State Muslim League led by the (late) Sayed Abdul Rehman Bafaqih Thangal, (late) Sayed Pookoya Thangal, (late) Sayed Mohamed Ali Shihab Thangal and now by Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal.

The Indian Union Muslim League is the oldest political organization of the Muslims of India at the national level since the independence of the country and has a formidable record of service.