By The Moderates
We, the members of The Moderates (an online forum that seeks to intellectually counter all forms of extremism in society), are writing in support of Justice Katju’s demand that Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Mirza’s fellowship contract at DRDO be reinstated. Mr. Mirza’s Junior Research Fellowship was terminated by DRDO during the period when he was under interrogation relating to a terrorist conspiracy. Now that Mr. Mirza has been released and absolved of all charges it is only right and just that he be considered innocent of the charges, and his fellowship be retained so as to enable him to rebuild his life.
The action taken by DRDO becomes even more disturbing when it is seen in contrast to the facilities given to Lt Col Purohit who is in prison for the last four years on charges of terrorism. Despite the recommendation of the court of enquiry that he be dismissed from the Army he is receiving his full salary. This in itself is shocking, and even more so in light of the revoking of Mr. Mirza's fellowship.
This kind of discriminatory treatment raises doubts in the minds of people that Muslims are guilty of terrorism even when they have merely been questioned, and even if they have been exonerated. That Col Purohit is receiving his salary despite being accused of committing act of terror only adds to the fear in the minds of Muslims that the system treats them differently.
We second Justice Katju’s demand that the Ministry of Defence reinstate Mirza with retrospective effect and compensate him for the unjust harassment he has undergone.
Signatories
1. Dr. Juzar Bandukwala
2. Ms. Nasreen Fazalbhoy
3. Ms. Rohini Hensman
4. Mr. Ghulam Mohiyuddin
5. Ms. Asma Khan
6. Mr. Siraj Mehkari
7. Mr. Parvez Bari
8. Mr. S. Q. Masood
9. Mr. Bishruddeen Sharqi
10. Mrs. Gulnar Khan
11. Mr. Sukla Sen
12. Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Sayeed
13. Mr. Ghouse Quadri
14. Mr. A. Faizur Rahman
15. Mohammad Imran
16. Shahid Khan
17. Ms. Subhashini Ali
18. Ms. Ammu Abraham
19. Mr. Vrijendra
20. Mr. Mohammad Zubair Saifi
21.Mr. Zafarullah Khan
22. Mr. Farhan Shaikh
23. Mr. Altaf Pasha
24. Mohammed Saleem
25. Mr. Liyarath
