Minorities Commission Seeks Central Intervention On Fake Muslim Marriages Of Minor Girls To Rich Arabs

Taking note of a complaint about trafficking of Muslim women from India allegedly to Middle Eastern countries under the pretext of marriage, the National Commission for Minorities has decided to approach home and external affairs ministries seeking intervention.

NCM chairman Gairul Hasan Rizvi said the panel will urge the home ministry to crack the whip on the "caucus" of people involving foreigners, local agents and also those performing the religious rituals (maulanas and kazis).

He also said that the commission will request the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to issue visas to citizens from the countries concerned only after more verification.

Rizvi said that the panel received the complaint about trafficking of women belonging to poor families from Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi on 15 September.

The NCM chairman said he has already spoken to authorities in the states concerned for taking necessary action.

"We have received complaint about the caucus... We have decided to approach the two ministries seeking necessary action," he said.

Elaborating, Rizvi said in some cases it was observed that the foreign citizens married poor girls belonging of 15- 16 age group, offering their families hefty money and allegedly exploited them sexually.

"In some cases, the foreigners exploited Indian girls sexually and abandoned here only. In other cases, the foreigners took the girls to their home countries and turned them into slaves. It is a very serious issue," he added.

The complaint was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Mehmood Pracha, who today (20 September) submitted evidences in connection with the case before the Commission.

"It is requested that an immediate legal action is initiated to contain these extremely serious criminal activities prevalent in the country against hapless Muslim women and ensuring that culprits are brought to book," Pracha said in his complaint.

He also demanded giving adequate compensation to the victims. PTI