NEW DELHI: Maulana Mahmood Madani has sparked fresh controversy with his remarks on the
Supreme Court’s handling of the
Babri Masjid and triple talaq cases, as well as his comments on ‘jihad’ and ‘ghar wapsi’.
His statements have sharply divided the political landscape, drawing criticism from the BJP and even differing views from within the Muslim community, including the All India Muslim Jamaat.
What is the controversy about?
Madani, on Saturday, alleged that the apex court of the country was functioning under pressure from the BJP-led central government. He cited verdicts like Babri Masjid and triple talaq.
"After the verdict into Babri Masjid, triple talaq and several other matters, it seems that courts are functioning under Government's pressure for a few years now...We have several instances before that have raised questions on the character of courts...Supreme Court is eligible to be called supreme only when it follows the Constitution and when it upholds the law. If it doesn't do that, it doesn't deserve to be called 'Supreme'," he said.
Moreover, he criticised the vilification of the term "jihad", citing the increased use of terms like "love jihad, land jihad, 'Taleem' jihad, 'thook' jihad". He said that the term was used in the Islamic Holy book of Quran "in the sense of finishing off oppression and violence."
"Enemies of Islam and Muslims have made 'jihad' a synonym of abuse, conflict and violence. Terms like Love jihad, Land jihad, 'Taleem' Jihad, 'Thook' Jihad are used to insult the faith of Muslims. It is unfortunate that responsible people in goverment and media feel no shame in using such terms...In Islam, 'jihad' has been used in the Quran in several respects. It has been used in the sense of one's duties, and the welfare of society and humanity. When it has been used for war, it has been used in the sense of finishing off oppression and violence. Isliye jab jab zulm hoga tab tab jihad hoga," he said.
He further took on the conversion law, saying that it was against the fundamental right to freedom of religion. Contrasting the same with "ghar wapsi", a term widely used to refer to a program of religious conversion to Hinduism, he said that those "converting people into a particular religion have a free hand."
"Constitution of the country has provided us with Right to Freedom of Religion. But through the Conversion Law, this fundamental right is being finished off. This law is being used in a manner in which practising a religion becomes liable to fear and punishment. On the other hand, in the name of 'Ghar Wapasi', those converting people into a particular religion have a free hand. They are not questioned, and no legal action is taken against them," he said.
Who agrees, who doesn't
All India Muslim Jamaat chief, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, advised Madani to steer away from making comments on Supreme Court, Parliament and government as "crores of Muslims trust" these institutions.
"Not just me, but crores of Muslims in India do not agree with his statement. Maulana Mahmood Madani is a religious man. He should speak from a religious point of view. He should not provoke or instigate Muslims. Crores of Muslims trust the Supreme Court, Parliament and Government," ANI quoted him saying.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari criticised his statements saying: "If there is any place in the world where our brothers and sisters of the Muslim community are safest and facilitated, it is India."
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal also condemned the statement saying: "If a leader like Maulana Madani, who is considered ideal by the Muslim community, calls all Muslims 'jihadi', calls all Muslims a community which is a victim of atrocities and calls upon all Muslims to do 'jihad', who calls all non-Muslims 'murda' - I would like to ask him (Madani) if all freedom fighters and army jawans are 'murda kaum'. He has questioned the Supreme Court, too. He has said that the Supreme Court should be supreme and should also do supreme work. Will he give them a certificate for the same? This is the height of 'jihad'."
Bihar governor Arif Mohammad Khan, however, agreed with the 'jihad' statement saying: "As long as oppression exists, jihad will exist. It is very difficult for me to disagree with that. Oppression or injustice—according to the Quranic idea—does not mean only the oppression you face. If any weak or poor person is being oppressed, it becomes your responsibility to raise your voice for them and help them. If there is oppression, then it is necessary to speak out against it, and that is what is called jihad... Madani's public statement about 'jihad' contradicts what is in texts followed in an institution he's associated with."
Who is Maulana Mahmood Madani?
Maulana Mahmood Madani is the current National President of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), one of the country's oldest Muslim organisations.
Born in 1964, he is the grandson of Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmad Madani, a leading theologian and an important figure in India’s freedom movement. His father, Maulana As’ad Madani, was a significant force in the JUH and served in the Rajya Sabha for nearly 17 years.
After completing his studies in Islamic theology at Darul Uloom Deoband in 1992, Mahmood Madani began working with the JUH, eventually becoming its General Secretary in 2001 and later a Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012.
He has organised anti-terrorism conferences, facilitated interfaith dialogue through numerous “Sadhbhavana Sansad” events, and overseen educational reforms within madrasas. His humanitarian work includes relief and rehabilitation efforts during riots, natural disasters, and international crises, according to a profile of him on Jamait's website.
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