Jamaat-e-Islami Hind's women's wing launched a nationwide campaign 'Morality is Freedom' in Coimbatore, addressing social issues like alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and moral degradation. The campaign aims to promote ethical values and social upliftment.
Coimbatore: The women's wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has launched a nationwide campaign titled 'Morality is Freedom' to address pressing social issues in India. The campaign, set to commence in September 2024, focuses on combating moral degradation, including alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and inappropriate relationships.
A press conference was held on August 30, 2024, at the Coimbatore Press Club to announce the campaign. The event was attended by JIH Coimbatore city women's wing president Jaheena Ahmad, secretary Sharmila Abdullah, south zone women's wing president Saleena Bari, secretary Benazir Samadhu, and north zone women's wing president Kamarunnisha.
Jaheena Ahmad, addressing the media, highlighted the growing concerns of alcohol and drug culture in India. She stated, "India is becoming a nation of addicts. From school students to adults, regardless of gender, alcohol consumption is rampant, leading to increased diseases, accidents, murders, robberies, and sexual assaults." Ahmad expressed disappointment over the government's involvement in running TASMAC shops despite the need to eradicate alcohol consumption.
The JIH women's wing welcomed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's initiative for a drug-free Tamil Nadu and appreciated the state government's efforts in creating awareness among students on August 11, designated as Anti-Drug Day. However, they emphasized that complete prohibition of alcohol is necessary to achieve a drug-free path.
Ahmad also addressed the issue of women's safety in India, citing National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics that report 90 rapes daily and 32,000 rape cases annually. She mentioned several high-profile cases of sexual violence and murder, stressing the need for a change in mindset and fear of God to ensure women's safety.
The campaign aims to combat various social ills, including same-sex relationships, extramarital affairs, and cohabitation without marriage. The JIH women's wing believes these practices could harm future generations and calls for collective action to create a morally upright society.
As part of the campaign, various events are planned in Coimbatore, including interfaith leader meetings, public gatherings, street corner campaigns, leaflet distribution, home visits, seminars, individual counseling, exhibitions, rallies, human chains, social media campaigns, awareness programs in schools and colleges, discussions with teachers, and pledge-taking events.