New Delhi, June 24 (IANS). Along with Muslim religious leaders, Hindu saints also protested against the remarks of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Syed Arshad Madani on ‘Jihad’ on Wednesday.
Addressing the Uttarakhand State Executive meeting of Jamiat, Arshad Madani said that in 1803, when our country was stuck in the chains of slavery, the message of Jihad was given for the freedom of the country. To liberate the country, i.e. to break the shackles of slavery, it is the duty of every Muslim to wage jihad. This teaching has come from madrassas and whoever does not know it is ignorant.
President and Chief Mufti of Bharatiya Samaj Sevak Organization, Maulana Chaudhary Ifrahim Hussain criticized Arshad Madani and termed his statement as completely against Islam.
He said that Islam gives utmost importance to ‘Taqwa’ (fear of Allah/purity). The person who fears Allah the most is respected the most and his words carry the most weight. As far as Maulana Arshad Madani or All India Muslim Personal Law Board is concerned, these are political statements made under the influence of political personalities. These people have nothing to do with the real issues or concerns of the oppressed and marginalized communities.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of All India Muslim Jamaat, said that Arshad Madani did not explain “under what circumstances and how” Muslims should do ‘Jihad’ and whether there is a need for ‘Jihad’ in India or not.
He said that Ala Hazrat has written in his book that there is no need for Jihad in India as it is a peace-loving country which gives freedom to everyone to follow and propagate the religion of their choice, which includes Islam.
Maulana Syed Saif Abbas Naqvi said that there are certain conditions for ‘Jihad’, and those conditions do not apply in today’s time.
He said, “The condition of Jihad is that it can be permitted only by a sinless Prophet or a sinless Imam. Today no sinless Prophet exists.
Referring to the ‘kiswa’, the black, carved silk and cotton cloth that covers the sacred Kaaba in Mecca, Naqvi said innocent Imams are in ‘Purda-e-Gab’, so we do not have the right or permission to direct anyone to join jihad or call for jihad.
On the other hand, on Madani’s statement, Congress MP Tariq Anwar said that according to me, the word ‘Jihad’ is wrong. We have democracy here. One good thing is that many people in the Hindu community want brotherhood and want to live together in the country. If we have to start a movement then we should bring together all those people who believe in the principle of secularism and equal respect for all religions.
Maharashtra government minister Nitish Rane said that it is our right to eliminate such jihadis. It is our responsibility to eliminate anyone who sits in our Hindu nation and talks about Jihad. Those who talk about Jihad in Hindu Rashtra will be sent to Pakistan.
Uttar Pradesh government minister Dharampal Singh said that Jihad has no right. Justice is for everyone, there is no exemption for anyone. And the matter of doing Jihad is not that of cutting someone’s neck. that is not good. Justice is equal for everyone, no special concession can be given to anyone. Whoever commits a mistake will be punished.
Saint Sitaram Das Maharaj said that this country is run according to the Constitution and law. Whoever does Jihad under my Constitution, my laws and my Sanatan culture will go to Jahannum (hell). Sanatani will ensure this.
He said that whoever does Jihad should be prepared to go to hell.
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shaileshanand Puri said that people’s thinking and expectations are formed by their mentality and beliefs. In my view, such statements try to disturb and create a rift in the brotherhood, mutual understanding and harmony that exists in India. I believe that the purpose of such efforts is to weaken social unity and create division in the society. We believe that it is useless to expect a message of harmony from such ideologies. Such teachings and thinking should be seriously examined and the government should take appropriate action wherever necessary. As long as divisive ideologies exist, they will not promote peace and social harmony, but will try to break the society.
Mahant Raju Das of Hanumangarhi said that Maulana Madani’s statement is very unfortunate and condemnable. This should be considered as a statement of pure demonism (satanic).
Mahant Raju Das further said that Maulana Madani’s statement is promoting Jihadi terrorist thinking. This is an attempt to destroy humanity. They are saying that Muslims have the right to wage jihad. Our demand is that strictest action should be taken against them.
–IANS
DKM/DKP