A Muslim group is launching next month a nationwide civil rights campaign against the use of pejorative language against weaker sections of the society.

Ahead of the 10-day campaign, to be run through public rallies beginning Dec 3, the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind has put up large-lettered hoardings at traffic points in major cities that exclaim: "Mind your language, young man".

The Jamaat's campaign will also focus on issues like children's rights, women's rights and minority rights.

Mohammed Shafi Madani, head of the Jamaat's Gujarat chapter, told IANS it was not just Muslims who were subjected to bad language.

"Pejorative expressions are commonly directed against Dalits, tribals and others. The hoarding quotes the Quran as saying when you abuse a person, you downgrade yourself to the level of a donkey," he said.

"Language makes us different from animals. The Quran also asks the faithful to use their tongue to protect those who are tortured."

Madani said Muslims who used abusive language were also the target of the campaign.

"We also want to educate the Muslim community. We want to tell them that if we raise a hue and cry when our rights are imperilled, we must also do so when others' rights are in danger."

--Indo-Asian News Service