NewsBits.in
Senior Correspondent
BHOPAL: The names of Muslim freedom fighters who gave their lives were erased from history books and new generation is hardly aware of the contribution of Muslim martyrs.
Senior Congress leader Arif Masood has said that thousands of Muslims including Ulema gave their lives in the freedom struggle along with Hindu brethren, but new generation isn't aware of these sacrifices.
Masood, a former MP Congress spokesperson, said that the movement has begun to create awareness about Muslim freedom fighters' role in independence.
"It is needed because the people should know how Hindus-Muslims jointly fought for independence. In fact, from 1831 Muslim Ulema had begun their movement. Many were sent to Andaman and innumerable Muslims religious scholars were hanged after 1857", he said.
"Right now we are holding competitions for children where their knowlege about freedom movement would be tested in quiz programmes and other competitions. They will be given awards. The biggest programme would be held it Itwara on August 15", he said.
Arif Masood said that NCERT and governments didn't do justice in this regard. "The names were steadily remoed from history and books including text books. We have communicated with all agencies in this regard and we are now planning to move to Supreme Court regarding the issue of texts omitting the contribution of Muslim freedom fighters", said Masood who has been All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member for long.
"Also, as part of the movement, we have started compiling books which we will provide to schools, especially, private ones so that new generation is aware of contribution of Muslim leaders", he added. He provided a long list of hundreds of Muslim freedom fighters, martyrs and their contribution, to media persons today.
