Muslim Community representatives, civil societies to establish task force to tackle hate crimes

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Meeting organised by the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims to highlight the community leaders’ response to the anti-conversion Law, UCC and issues of hate crimes and speeches. | Photo Credit: Snehal Mutha

A task force will be established soon to provide immediate aid to victims of hate crime, the president of Jamaat-e-Islami Maharashtra, Maulana Ilyas Khan, said at a press conference on Monday (June 8, 2026).

He was speaking after a meeting organised by the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) to highlight the community leaders’ response to the anti-conversion Law, UCC and issues of hate crimes and speeches.

On the backdrop of the freedom of religion bill passed in March this year and the plans to implement UCC, Muslim organisations, along with civil societies, discussed coordinated opposition against hate crimes.

Also read| Message from Mumbai: On hate crimes and legal action

Dolphy Dsouza, associated with the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and the Institute for Community Research Organisation (ICOR), also supported Maulana IIyas. He said that awareness campaigns will be held as a preventive measure.

Before addressing the media, FMM held a consultative meeting on Monday (June 8) with Muslim Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), former judges, lawyers, social activists, and religious scholars (Imams of Masajid) to brainstorm on community issues at the Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai. During the meeting, the stakeholders discussed developing a 10-year concrete action plan.

The organisers claimed that there was a rising tide of communalism and alleged policies of administrative inequality in the State.

“The meeting is not a confrontation against any government or political party; rather, it is a sincere effort to find sustainable and practical solutions to the issues faced by Muslims,” said Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, president (Amir).

The consultative meeting was attended by retired Judge Abhay Thipsay, MLAs Amin Patel, Sajid Pathan, Haroon Khan, Abu Asim Azmi, and Rais