– Two-Day Working Committee Session of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Concludes

New Delhi, May 17 (HS): Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani on Saturday said that politics driven by hatred has now been replaced by politics based on threats and fear. He alleged that the objective behind such politics is to intimidate Muslims and make them feel that they can now live in the country only under imposed conditions, and that those who refuse to comply would face imprisonment. He stated that this emerging political trend poses serious questions regarding the supremacy of law and the Constitution.

Maulana Madani made these remarks while delivering his presidential address at the conclusion of the two-day meeting of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Working Committee. He said that certain groups, in their pursuit of political power, are dangerously undermining peace, unity, and communal harmony in the country.

He further stated that this new style of politics has generated a fresh wave of hatred and religious polarization across the nation. According to him, the situation has become highly volatile, with inflammatory rhetoric being spread openly, Muslims allegedly being humiliated, and law enforcement agencies remaining silent spectators.

Referring to the recently concluded Assembly elections in five states, Maulana Madani alleged that the Model Code of Conduct was openly violated, particularly in West Bengal and Assam. He claimed that Muslims were publicly threatened during the elections and that such threats have continued even after the results were declared.

He criticized statements allegedly made by newly elected chief ministers suggesting that development work would not be carried out for Muslims because they did not vote for them. Madani said that such remarks amount to mocking both the Constitution and democracy. He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees equal rights to every citizen and that democracy gives every individual the freedom to choose their preferred political leader.

He stated that if a citizen chooses not to vote for a particular party or leader, it cannot be treated as a crime. However, according to him, contemporary politics is increasingly portraying such choices as punishable acts.

Maulana Madani further said that those in power have adopted fear and intimidation as political tools, whereas governments should function on the principles of justice and fairness rather than fear. He noted that every chief minister takes an oath in the name of God to govern in accordance with the Constitution and law, without fear, favour, affection, or ill will toward any section of society.

He said that without adhering to this constitutional oath, no individual has the moral right either to become or continue as chief minister.

Speaking further, Maulana Madani alleged that there is a systematic attempt to transform India into an ideological state. He claimed that the inactivity of constitutional institutions has contributed to the gradual success of these efforts. According to him, the Uniform Civil Code has already been implemented in several states, and preparations are underway to introduce it in Assam as well.

He also claimed that through an official notification, the song “Vande Mataram” has been accorded the status of a national song and is being made mandatory in BJP-ruled states. At the same time, he alleged that mosques, mausoleums, and madrasas are being declared illegal and demolished.

Madani said that new directives against madrasas are being issued almost daily, as though they were centres of unlawful activity rather than educational institutions. He stated that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind is fighting legal battles against such actions and has secured relief from courts in several cases.

On the occasion, Maulana Madani announced that Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind would soon establish madrasa boards at both central and provincial levels to connect madrasas across the country and collectively address issues related to them.

He further stated that the organization’s legal battle against the Uniform Civil Code would continue. He also announced plans to initiate legal action against making “Vande Mataram” compulsory, arguing that certain portions of the song conflict with their religious beliefs and that imposing it violates religious freedom.

The Central Working Committee of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind also strongly rejected the Central Government’s reported decision to grant “Vande Mataram” a status equivalent to the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana,” make all six stanzas compulsory, and mandate its recitation before “Jana Gana Mana” at functions held in government and educational institutions.

The organization described the move as contrary to the spirit of the Indian Constitution, religious freedom, secular values, and the historical decisions of the Constituent Assembly, and demanded that the government immediately withdraw the decision.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar