Raising the banner of `Islamophobia’ over Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi and Krishna Janmabhoomi /Eidgah in Mathura, an organisation of Deobandi Sunni Muslim clerics, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said that a hate campaign had been unleashed against the community and concerted efforts were underway to turn Muslims to second class citizens.
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind organised a two-day conference of clerics at Deoband in Saharanpur from Saturday, where Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple complex issue was discussed at length.
In a controversial statement in the event that had in attendance Muslims from over 5,000 organisations, president of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Maulana Mahmood Madani cried 'Islamophobia' over the Varanasi issue.
"Muslims are actually the majority community of India. We are technically a minority community. The Bharatiya Janata Party should remember it will not remain in power for an indefinite period. Power is not permanent so no party can be a ruling party forever,” Madani said.
"The Muslims have been turned into strangers in their own country. I know the kind of hardships common Muslims face these days across the country. It is becoming difficult for Muslims to lead normal social lives in public places,” the Maulana said.
In a veiled attack on the BJP, Madani said, "We have to be very cautious and avoid the action plan being prepared for us by the forces behind the temple-mosque dispute. They are peddlers of hate and you should have a clear understanding of their agenda. Till the other day, they were a poor minority, now they are very visible across the country. If we counter their hate campaign in their coin then it will be like walking into their trap. They propagate the idea of ‘Akhand Bharat’ while the fact is that it has become difficult for the ordinary Muslim to walk on the streets. They are enemies of the country.”
The Jamiat chief further said, "The way the situation over the mosque-temple controversy is evolving, Muslims should be ready to face the situation, including launching a ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation to protect our mosques and heritage. There is no need to be disheartened. We can face repression and injustice but will never indulge in anything which compromises national interest.”
Urging Muslims to comprehend the situation with a cool head, Madani said, "We will fight back and we have taken this decision not out of weakness but strength given to us by the Quran. We can compromise with everything except our faith.”
"The condition of the country and the government's silence on it is concerning. This needs to change, and therefore, the people who wish well for the country will have to manage it and end the prevailing environment of division," Madani said.
"For now, debates on Gyanvapi mosque, Shahi Eidgah mosques are going on. A resolution with respect to them is likely to be adopted on Sunday morning, We will fight for it and if need be, will even go to the jail together," he said.
Thereafter, Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui (media incharge of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind) confirmed that everyone's views were being taken into account on the Mandir-Masjid issue in the national convention.
Farooqui said, "Hatred is being propelled against Muslims in the country. Pakistan was created the last time there was a tirade of this sort against Muslims. I don't understand what exactly these people want."
Meanwhile, the Congress endorsed Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind's remark. Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, "Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is a secular and non-political organisation. Its leaders have contributed a great deal and even made a lot of sacrifices during the freedom movement. This is something which the BJP and others probably do not know. Therefore, if they are discussing something, I don't think we can stop them. All these issues, be it Gyanvapi mosque or Shahi eidgah, instead of blaming Muslims, we should blame the parties that call themselves secular. For they have kept silent, thinking that they do not lose one side."
On its part, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party slammed the statements made by the leaders of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. UP’s Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said, "The BJP believes and practices inclusive politics where the benefit of development scheme reaches every section of society without any discrimination on the basis of caster and religion.”
Former UP minister and Chairman of UP Haj Committee, Mohsin Raza, said, "In the name of jalsa, Jamiat is trying to instigate the country. The way statements on the patience of Muslims being put to test, is by all means 'bhadkau bhashan'. On one side Asaduddin Owaisi glorifies Aurangzeb, on the other the Congress calls Gyanvapi proceedings a drama. Akhilesh Yadav insults Hindu sentiments by saying that if a stone is kept below a tree, it is being called a temple.”
