"No. 1 in robbery, rape...": Badruddin Ajmal decries high crime rates among Muslim youths

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• Oct 23, 2023 | Dhupali Das

All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal voiced his concerns about the involvement of Muslim youth in criminal activities...

Digital Desk: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal voiced his concerns about the involvement of Muslim youth in criminal activities during an event at Dalgoma Anchalik College in Assam's Goalpara district. The 73-year-old politician condemned the lack of interest in education among Muslim youth and their disproportionate representation in crime statistics.

Addressing a gathering of alumni at the private college, Ajmal highlighted the alarming trends in criminal behavior within the Muslim community. He stated that Muslims rank highest in data related to prisoners, including crimes such as robbery, dacoity, rape, and loot. "We are No. 1 in all these crimes, and we are also No. 1 in terms of going to jail. Our children are not prioritizing schools and colleges but are finding time for gambling and cheating," he said. He expressed his sadness over this situation and called for introspection.

Ajmal drew attention to the fact that the majority of individuals in police stations had Muslim names, illustrating the high representation of Muslims in the criminal justice system. In 2021, Assam had the highest percentage of convicted Muslim prisoners in the country, accounting for 60.5 percent of the prison population, according to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In addition, 49.3 percent of jailed undertrials in the state were Muslims.

Nationally, the NCRB reported that the overall share of Muslims in India's prison population, including convicts, undertrials, detenues, and others, was 18.7 percent in 2021, a decrease from 20.2 percent in 2020. The Muslim population in Assam accounts for 34.22 percent of the state's total population, according to the 2011 Census. In India, the Muslim population stands at approximately 14.2 percent of the country's total population.

Ajmal, who has often portrayed himself as a defender of the Muslims in Assam, emphasized the importance of rational thinking and education in uplifting Muslim youth. He questioned the behavior of some Muslim youth, reminding them that respecting women was a fundamental value in Islam.

"Why do you ogle at women in public? Don't you have 'Ma-Boin' (mother-sister) in your homes?" Ajmal asked, pointing out that such behavior makes the streets unsafe for girls. He stressed that this was not in line with the teachings of Islam. He underlined that the only path to development was through education and that this had once been an area where the community excelled.

"If stomachs and pockets are empty, even love doesn't seem nice. How long will a hungry man love?" said Ajmal, referring to the importance of addressing economic and social issues within the community.

Badruddin Ajmal, who has been in the headlines for his controversial remarks, founded the AIUDF in 2005. The party currently holds 9.3 percent of the vote share and has 16 MLAs in the 126-member Assam assembly.

Ajmal's speech at Dalgoma Anchalik College aimed to draw attention to the challenges facing Muslim youth in Assam and encourage a renewed focus on education as the means to uplift the community and reduce their involvement in criminal activities.