Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani has alleged that Muslims are being targeted in the country and accused communal forces of spreading hatred with government backing. Speaking at a two-day working committee convention organised at Jamiat’s headquarters in Delhi, Madani said Muslims “have never bowed down and will never bow down.”
Expressing concern over what he called rising communalism, Madani claimed that peace, unity, and brotherhood in the country were being harmed for political purposes.
“The current situation in the country, the rising communalism, the silence of constitutional institutions, the increasing measures against Muslims and Islamic symbols, and politics based on hatred are extremely alarming,” Madani said while sharing the declaration adopted at the convention.
He added, “Muslims have never bowed down and will never bow down. They may bow out of love, but they can never be subdued through force, threats, or oppression.”
Jamiat Raises Objection to Mandatory ‘Vande Mataram’
During the convention, the Muslim body criticised recent government measures and alleged there was a planned attempt to transform the country into an “ideological state.”
Madani questioned moves to make Vande Mataram compulsory in some BJP-ruled states and said the organisation would challenge the decision legally if necessary.
“Giving Vande Mataram a status equal to the national anthem and making it mandatory is against the original spirit of the Constitution,” Madani said. “If the government does not withdraw the decision, we will go to court.”
The Jamiat declaration also alleged that mosques, shrines, and madrasas were being targeted in different parts of the country and linked issues such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, and actions against Islamic institutions to what it described as a wider ideological agenda.
“Politics rooted in hatred has now turned into politics of intimidation,” the declaration stated, alleging that Muslims were being made to feel they would have to live under imposed conditions.
Concern Over Elections, Voter Rights and Communal Tensions
Madani also referred to recent elections in states like West Bengal and Assam, alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct and public threats against minorities.
The organisation claimed that genuine citizens were allegedly being deprived of voting rights during voter list revision exercises and urged Muslims to remain alert and keep their documents ready. Jamiat leaders said legal help would be provided to affected people if required.
The convention called on opposition parties, civil society groups and citizens to unite against what it termed “communal and fascist forces” and work towards protecting constitutional values, justice, and social harmony.
“We appeal to all justice-loving parties, social organisations, and patriotic citizens to jointly struggle for brotherhood, tolerance, justice, and the supremacy of the Constitution,” Madani said.
BJP Leader Vikas Tyagi Calls Statement ‘Inflammatory’
Reacting sharply to Madani’s remarks, Vikas Tyagi, former state convenor of the Bajrang Dal, termed the Jamiat chief’s statement “inflammatory.”
“The country will run according to the Constitution and law, not inflammatory statements,” Tyagi said, accusing Madani of attempting to create division and isolate minorities from the mainstream.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul also criticised Madani over the Vande Mataram issue, saying respect for the country and its symbols was essential for all citizens.
