Against the backdrop of demolition drives targeting mosques, madrasas and several historic heritage sites under BJP governments, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind National President Maulana Syed Arshad Madani said that it was these very institutions that had produced generations of Muslims who answered the call for Jihad against colonial rule and fought for India's freedom.
He further emphasised that the nation's survival depended upon bonds of love and affection, urging those in authority to reject the politics of hatred and division.
Addressing a large gathering of ulema, huffaz and members of the Muslim community at a meeting of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind State Executive Committee in Kaliyar near Roorkee on Tuesday, Madani also underscored the importance of love, harmony and mutual affection for the survival of the nation, while urging people to reject the politics of hatred.
Recalling the role played by Islamic institutions during India's struggle against British rule, Madani said, “In 1803, when our country was enslaved, a call for ‘Jihad’ was issued for the nation’s freedom. And to free it, to break off the chains of slavery from our necks, doing jihad is the duty of every Muslim. This is a movement that originated from the madrasas. Whoever does not know this is ignorant.”
He maintained that Muslim scholars and religious institutions had made immense sacrifices in the freedom movement and contributed significantly to the country's development after Independence.
Highlighting what he described as increasing hostility towards Muslim religious institutions, the Jamiat chief alleged that the very mosques which had played a historic role in the struggle for freedom were now facing state action.
“After Independence, those in power began to harm Muslims; successive governments kept the Muslim community entangled in riots and unrest, but the current government is opposed not only to Muslims but to Islam itself. Our religious sites are being razed with the help of bulldozers,” he said.
Madani argued that the country's democratic fabric could only be sustained through mutual respect and social cohesion, expressing concern over the demolition of mosques and madrasas as well as incidents of mob violence.
“A nation cannot survive without love and affection. I urge everyone: if you love the country, abandon the politics of hatred and keep the politics of love alive,” he said.
Calling upon Muslims to uphold cordial relations with all sections of society, he added that genuine patriotism was inseparable from compassion and goodwill towards fellow citizens.
“He told Muslims to live with love and affection towards everyone, saying this is the true measure of loyalty to the country; failing to do so means one is not loyal to the nation,” participants quoted him as saying.
Madani also referred to relief work undertaken by the organisation during natural disasters, citing assistance provided during floods in West Bengal.
“When floods struck West Bengal, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind provided food to both Hindus and Muslims,” he said, before lamenting what he described as discriminatory treatment of the community.
“Yet today, the homes of those very Muslims are being demolished, and madrasas are being shut down,” he added.
Reiterating the need for communal harmony and national unity, Madani said that Muslims had contributed immensely to India's freedom and progress, and urged the country to strengthen bonds of fraternity rather than deepen divisions through hatred and prejudice.