New Delhi: A Muslim lawyer, Mahmood Pracha, has courted controversy when he called for Muslims and Dalits to apply for gun license and own firearms for self defense. He also asked them to sell their properties and gold inorder to finance the purchase of guns.
The lawyer asked Muslims and people from SC and ST communities to arm themselves after reports of mob lynching were reported from different parts of the country. He promised that he would provide legal support to help Muslims and Dalits if they face any problems while applying for license.
Meanwhile, the pro Islamic political party, SDPI, also supported the idea of Muslims and Dalits buying up guns with license and said that the constitution of India provides them the right for self defense. Recently, NIA had raided offices of the SDPI in many parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to investigate its links with the suicide bombings of Sri Lanka.
Mahmood Pracha said in the press conference, “We will provide them with legal support if they have a problem filling the form or in procuring the licence. If they access their right to private defence and if the cases are filed against you, in that case, we will help you.”
He also announced a camp on 26 July to help Muslims and people from SC/ST community to apply for license to own firearms.
The call to arms in the name of self defense is a serious threat to the peace and harmony in the country. Though, Shia cleric, Maulana Kalbe Jawad, asked the lawyer to postpone the camp he too backed the idea of buying up firearms.
They insisted that the government take measures to curb mob lynching.
The United States, which has an active gun culture, is a prime example of the dangers that common people will face even if the guns have license. Shootings and killings will be rampant and widespread.
However, the general public has take offence to the lawyers calling and have actively condemned the call to arms. Mob lynching are widespread in India and the state administrations must take serious actions under the prevailing laws to bring the culprits to book.
