Bhatkal: The two days closing ceremony of the centenary celebration of Anjuman Hami e Muslimeen Bhatkal, an educational institution, was held on Sunday and Monday, at Anjuman abad ground, in which former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Markandey Katju, was present as the chief guest along with former chief election commissioner of India S Y Qureshi. Leader of opposition in Karnataka B.K Hariprasad, President Jamiatul Ulama hind UP Maulana Ashhad Rashidi, Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik, Chairman Karnataka Minorities commission Abdul Azeem were also present as guest of honor.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice Markandey Katju said that If India has to be run and led towards development then there is only one way that no one should be discriminated against and everyone should be given equal respect. He warned that if this is not done then this country will break.
77-year-old Justice Katju who is known for his outspoken nature said that the population of India and China is more or less the same, i.e. 140 crores. But if the two countries are compared, it will be known that 90% of the Chinese are of the same race, which is called Hans. Their language is Mandarin. But India is a country of great diversity. There are so many religions, castes, languages, races and cultures that this country cannot be compared with any other country. This is because our and your ancestors in India are not from here, we all came from outside ten thousand years ago and settled here and we are all immigrants. He went on to add that even Dravidians and Aryans were also immigrants and not natives of India.
Justice Katju said that people chose this country over other places because it is a place of comfort, the climate and the weather here is favorable. The land here is flat, there are rivers, ponds, everything. The land here is so fertile that it supports agriculture. He clarified that 94/95 percent of the population of this country are immigrants and most of them have settled here from the North-West regions.
Markandey Katju said “140 crore population of this country does not know what is the truth of India. He said this country is of refugees, all kinds of people live here, if everyone wants to live happily, then it is possible only through the democratic system.”
He praised Tiger of Mysore Hazrat Tipu Sultan, saying that he used to send annual grants to 156 temples, including the largest Shengiri Mutt, but lies are being spread about him that he was a cruel king. Justice Katju urged the officials that if the state of the country is to be saved from collapse, then the truth must be made public, those who are spreading hatred through lies must be told the truth and the misunderstandings spread among the people must be removed.
BK Hariprasad said in his address that at the time of independence the literacy rate in the country was only 11 to 13 percent, now the literacy rate of the country has exceeded 75 percent. Emphasizing on the quality of education, he said that just getting a degree will not be enough. He also said that today there is at least one medical college in every district of Karnataka. Anjuman educational institution also has a big role in this educational development. He said that the attempt to create a rift between Ram and Rahim in the country today, if the people here are educated, their attempt to create a rift will never succeed. Citing the example of the neighboring state of Kerala, he confidently said that if people are educated, the act of spreading hatred will not succeed.
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Qureshi said that earlier Muslims were at the forefront of science and technology, today Muslims have been pushed back, so the reasons should be found out. He said that the name of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is mentioned five times in the Holy Quran, but acquiring knowledge is mentioned 750 times. But despite this, Muslims are lagging behind in the field of education.
President of Jamiat ul ulama Uttar Pradesh Maulana Ashhad Rashidi said that today Muslim society needs scholars, hafiz, teachers of hadees and muftis, similarly Muslim society also needs Muslim doctors, Muslim professors, Muslim scientists and those who are skilled in modern sciences. And the Anjuman of Bhatkal is engaged in this struggle.
Chairman of Karnataka Minority Commission, Abdul Azeem in his address suggested to the Anjuman that a medical college be established in Bhatkal. Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik, who had completed his education from the same Anjuman College, said in his speech that most of the educational institutions in the country are established for the purpose of trade, the purpose of which is to earn money, but Anjuman is an educational institution which is not for the purpose of trade, but for spreading the light of education at every home.
The program began with the recitation of holy quran by Hafiz Umair S/o Abdul Basith, the anthem of the Anjuman was recited by Muhammad Ikram, Ahmed Muzain and Mohammad Mohtesham. The convenor of the centenary celebrations, Tanveer Kasarkod, invited the guests on stage while introducing them and offering bouquets through volunteers. General Secretary of Anjuman Siddique Ismail welcomed the guests and attendees. Anjuman President Muzamil Qazia presided over the program. Vice President of the Anjuman Mohammed Sadiq Pillur delivered the vote of thanks. Program was hosted by Yaseen Askiri and Aftab Hussain Kola.