IndiaTomorrow.net,

New Delhi, Aug 14: Tens of thousands of people, under the banner of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, on Sunday marched for peace in over 700 cities across the country demanding check on violent cow vigilantism.

Jamiat said the march was organized with an aim "to counter the rising religious hate crimes, intolerance, and mob-lynching incidents as well as to spread the message of peace and love to the countrymen."

Jamiat President Qari Mohammad Usman led the March in Delhi while General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani marched in Pune of Maharashtra.

"India is a country of diverse communities and religions and has been an embodiment of unity in diversity for centuries. However, it is unfortunate that some forces inimical to the unity and integrity of the country have been raising their ugly head for a long period of time," said Jamiat President Qari Mohammad Usman while addressing a big gathering at Jantar Mantar near the Parliament House in Delhi.

"These disruptive and divisive forces do not respect the Constitution and the Law of the land and have been targeting a particular religious group in the country," he added.

Condemning hate crimes and mob-lynching, Jamiat chief said that such incidents will push the country into anarchy and lawlessness.

Without peace and tranquillity no country or nation in the world can march on the path of progress and prosperity, the Jamiat chief said.

In Pune, Jamiat's General Secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani led the procession of hundreds of people from the statue of Ambedkar.

"The pattern of hate crimes committed against Muslims and Dalits with seeming impunity is deeply worrying. In this backdrop, Jamiat has taken the decision of organizing peace march across the country as the message of love and brotherhood is the only way to eliminate darkness of hatred," he said.