'Jihad will happen whenever there is oppression': Jamiat chief Mahmood Madani stokes row; BJP reacts

NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani on Saturday said the term “jihad” is being deliberately misused to malign the Muslim community, stressing that it actually means a “struggle against oppression.”

He alleged that “enemies of Islam” are responsible for distorting the term.




“Enemies of Islam and Muslims have turned the word ‘jihad’ into a synonym for abuse, conflict and violence. Phrases like ‘love jihad,’ ‘land jihad,’ ‘taleem (education) jihad’ and ‘thook (spit) jihad’ are used to insult the faith of Muslims. Sadly, even responsible people in the government and the media use such terms without shame,” he remarked.

“In Islam, ‘jihad’ appears in the Quran in several contexts — as a call to one’s duties, to the welfare of society and humanity, and, when referring to war, as a struggle to end oppression and violence. Isliye jab-jab zulm hoga, tab-tab jihad hoga (whenever there is oppression, there will be jihad),” the cleric added.

Madani further alleged that the minorities' constitutional rights are being “undermined” and they are being “targeted.” Citing the Babri Masjid verdict and the criminalisation of triple talaq, he argued that the Supreme Court can be considered “supreme” only when it upholds the Constitution and the law.

“After the judgments on Babri Masjid, triple talaq and several other matters, it appears that courts have been functioning under government pressure for the past few years… We have earlier instances too that raise questions about the courts’ character. The Supreme Court deserves to be called ‘Supreme’ only when it follows the Constitution and upholds the law. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t merit that title,” Madani remarked.

The Jamiat chief also flagged bulldozer actions, mob lynching, and the takeover of Waqf properties, arguing that these developments have left Muslims feeling “unsafe.”

Mentioining on the national song Vande Mataram, Madani contended that communities that surrender under pressure are “murda qaum (lifeless people),” while those that stay firm and confront challenges are “zinda qaum (living people).”

“‘Murda qaum’ do not engage with difficulties — they surrender. They will be asked to recite Vande Mataram and they will comply immediately. That is the sign of a ‘murda qaum’. A ‘zinda qaum,’ however, must lift its morale and face situations head-on,” he observed.

BJP slams Mahmood Madani

Hitting out at Madani, the BJP accused him of attempting to "vitiate" communal harmony.

“He is a completely political person. I heard his speech. He was describing ‘jihad’ in an Islamic context… but he contradicted himself and said, ‘agar hum pe zulm hoga, toh jihad hoga’ (there will be jihad if we are oppressed). Who is he threatening — the Government of India?” Delhi BJP spokesperson Yaser Jilani told news agency ANI.

Jilani warned Madani against issuing “threats.”

“Don’t threaten like this. The Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi think for everyone. Mahmood Madani is trying to vitiate harmony,” he stated.
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