No Muslim must be wrongfully held on terror charge, Shinde tells CMs

In a letter to chief ministers, Shinde said the central government has been receiving various representations on alleged harassment of innocent Muslim youth by law enforcement agencies. ‘Some of the minority youth have started feeling that they are deliberately targeted and deprived their basic rights,’ he wrote, adding: ‘Government has to ensure that no innocent person is subjected to undue harassment.’ 

The home minister, however, emphasised that the government is committed to its core principle of combating terrorism in every form and manifestation.

Shinde asked the state governments to constitute special courts in consultation with concerned high court for trial of terror-related cases, appoint special public prosecutors for trial of these cases and give priority to terror cases over other pending cases. Shinde said law enforcement agencies should maintain communal and social harmony while ensuring zero tolerance for terrorism.

‘Strict and prompt action against erring police officers where there are malafide arrests of any member of minority community, wrongfully arrested, person should not only be released immediately but they should be suitably compensated and rehabilitated to join the mainstream,’ he said.

Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, ‘If Shinde had issued the letter without associating the religion of the person it would not have been an issue. Had he used the word Indian -- of any religion -- then it would have been better. Shinde should be sacked with immediate effect for dividing the country on communal lines.’ 

He added that when his party flags such sensitive issues its secular credentials are challenged but what Shinde has done is communally divisive.