Raising the banner of Rs 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.”