Indian Muslim women put forth manifesto for parties

A group of Muslim women from more than ten states of India have come out with their "manifesto" for coming parliamentary elections demanding that the controversial National Register of Citizens in Assam be withdrawn and a law enacted against cow vigilantism.

"We demand repealing of prohibition and restrictions on slaughtering and sale of cows. The National Register of Citizens Bill strips Muslims of their citizenship rights and must be withdrawn," their manifesto released on Wednesday said.

The women's group included Khalida whose husband Umar Khan was allegedly lynched in Alwar, near Delhi, in 2017.

The women, who came together under Bebaak Collective, a movement against hatred, demanded the political parties "restore" constitutional rights of women and minorities.

"I live in constant threat. Even attending court hearings has become extremely difficult because of threats we receive from fringe groups," said Khalida.

"I don't want anyone to go through what my family is going through and that is why I request the political parties which are elected to power to frame law against mob lynching," said Khalida. 

Umar Khan was killed in 2017 in an exchange of fire with alleged cow vigilantes in Alwar in Rajasthan. Umar's body was found on the railway tracks at Ramgarh in Alwar district. His relatives and social activists subsequently alleged that he was killed by cow vigilantes.

Among the demands by the women are formulation of a diversity index across public and private sectors to determine extent of under-representation of Muslims, giving 10 percent reservation to Muslims in higher education and government jobs.

They also demanded financial benefits for single women, introduction of a communal violence bill to bring perpetrators to justice and introduction of gender-just laws for minority groups.