Madani cites Al-Falah, says govt working against Muslims

NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) president Maulana Arshad Madani's remarks alleging discrimination against Muslims while citing the example of Al-Falah University, which is under the scanner in the Delhi blast probe, have triggered a storm. Accusing the govt of working relentlessly to ensure that Muslims don't progress, Madani claimed that while Zohran Mamdani and Sadiq Khan could become the mayors of New York and London, respectively, Muslims in India cannot even become vice chancellors of universities.

"And even if someone does, they will be sent to jail, like Azam Khan. Look at what is happening today with Al-Falah. He (the founder) is in jail, and how many years he will spend in jail, no one knows," Madani, chief of one of the two JUH factions, said, speaking at a session at Jamiat headquarters in Delhi Saturday.

The founder of Al-Falah University, Jawed Siddiqui, is in custody of the Enforcement Directorate. Besides the current probe, it is alleged that Siddiqui was held in Delhi in an earlier case following a complaint of cheating and spent over two years in Tihar jail. He came out on bail in Feb 2004 and was later acquitted in the case by court the next year, after he and his brother agreed to make repayments.

Madani said, "The govt, since the time India got freedom, has been working on preventing Muslims from raising their heads. It is the result of this that today you hear people saying that there is a lack of leadership among Muslims." Citing a Hindi idiom, he said the govt wants the Muslims "to feel the ground slipping under their feet", and "it is happening..."

BJP netas hit back on Sunday over Madani's remarks. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla told PTI, "In the name of vote bank, the 'bhaijann of appeasement' and the 'aatanki bachao jamaat (save terrorists group)' has become active." He added, "Arshad Madani ji, leave aside this talk of mayor; this country has seen Muslims becoming president, vice president, chief justice, home minister. The biggest artists and businessmen have also come from the Muslim community." BJP member Shahnawaz Hussain slammed Madani's statement as "very irresponsible".

However, some Congress netas saw merit in Madani's remarks. Former MP Sandeep Dikshit said, "This govt has launched a very systematic campaign against a particular religion." At the same time, he made it clear that Madani's linking the issue to Al-Falah is not right. "I hope that in the case of Al-Falah doctors, the NIA will conduct an impartial probe," he said.

Congress' Rashid Alvi said, "Take strict action against those who are responsible, who are terrorists, spreading terror, breaking the law, whoever they may be. But that doesn't mean you destroy the entire university," he said.
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