By Anwarulhaq Baig
New Delhi – In a significant show of unity, newly elected members of parliament (MPs), politicians, former MPs, union ministers, and prominent personalities from across party lines gathered on Saturday to raise their voices against communalism, hate politics, and the targeting of minorities in India. The national meeting, organized by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR), brought together a diverse group of leaders to discuss the current political landscape and chart a path forward for protecting civil rights and communal harmony.
The event, held in the capital, featured addresses from various figures including former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, Islamic scholar Maulana Sajjad Nomani, and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Husani. Newly elected MPs Iqra Hussain, Zia ur Rahman Barq, Prof. Manoj Jha, and Ruhullah Mahdi from the National Conference also contributed to the discussions.
Dr. Mohammed Adeeb, former MP and main organizer of the meeting, opened proceedings with a somber assessment of the challenges facing the Muslim community. He lamented the deliberate attempts to diminish Muslim political representation, noting that even secular opposition parties have become hesitant to share stages with Muslim leaders or nominate them as candidates. Adeeb called on Muslim parliamentarians to assert themselves as leaders rather than mere “feeders” of their parties.
“We are not just voters, but partners in parties and government,” Adeeb declared. He expressed a desire to restore the inclusive spirit of “Hindustan” that he remembered from his childhood, stating, “We are looking for Gandhi’s vision once again.”
Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid struck a cautiously optimistic note in his keynote address, expressing some relief at the recent election results following the formation of the opposition “INDIA” alliance. While acknowledging gains made by the opposition, Khurshid emphasized that much work remains to be done.
“We are not just happy for getting some achievements in the elections,” Khurshid said. “We hope to be heard now, but we cannot sit silently. We have much more to do.”
Khurshid also touched on the pending Supreme Court judgment regarding the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), framing it as a critical test of India’s treatment of its Muslim citizens. “If we cannot save AMU, what will be left for us?” he asked, recalling words from his grandfather, former Indian President Dr. Zakir Hussain.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Husaini offered an optimistic interpretation of the recent election results, seeing them as a rejection of divisive politics. “The poll results gave hope that Muslims’ future in India is not dark but bright,” Husaini said. He pointed out that BJP candidates were defeated in constituencies where Prime Minister Modi had delivered hate speeches, interpreting this as a clear signal from voters.
“This indicates that the people of the country will not accept the poison of hate doled out by anyone, even the PM of the country,” Husaini stated. He advised Muslims to prepare for a long struggle while reaching out to build unity across communities.
Maulana Sajjad Nomani, a renowned Islamic scholar and interfaith leader, emphasized that the majority of Indian voters had focused on substantive issues like unemployment, inflation, and farmers’ concerns rather than communal divisions. He called for the formation of local committees to foster inter-community relationships and combat communalism.
RJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Prof. Manoj Jha spoke about the shifting attitudes of secular parties towards Muslims, noting a tendency to use the term “minority” instead of explicitly mentioning Muslims. He criticized the “grammar of silence” adopted by many opposition leaders on critical issues affecting minorities.
“Even opposition leaders very few spoke about the innocent Muslim students and activists including Umar Khalid, Khalid Saifi, Miran Hydar etc who are behind bars for several years,” Jha pointed out. Despite this, he expressed hope that the recent mandate showed a desire among Indians to rebuild the country on principles of inclusivity.
Sikh leader Sardar Daya Singh recalled the 13-month farmers’ protest that successfully pressured the government to repeal controversial agricultural laws. He highlighted the solidarity between Sikh and Muslim communities during the protest and in past crises like the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“Muslims provided shelters to Sikh people to save their lives and goods from rioters, risking their own lives,” Singh remembered. He saw the current political climate as an opportunity for minorities to unite against communal polarization.
Newly elected MPs also addressed the gathering, with Samajwadi Party’s Ziaur Rahman Burq vowing to be a strong voice against injustice. Iqra Hasan Chaudhari, elected from Kairana, emphasized the need for social change alongside political shifts.
Kunwar Danish Ali, who narrowly lost his re-election bid, cautioned that setbacks to the ruling party might lead to more aggressive tactics. “They are like an injured animal who can attack more fiercely,” he warned, calling for continued vigilance and unity.
National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi criticized the changing discourse around minorities in India. “Before 2014 there were minorities, now in 10 years they have become oppressed sections of the country,” he observed. Mehdi called on Muslims to stand up not just for themselves but for all marginalized groups, citing Quranic injunctions to support the weak.
E. T. Mohammed Basheer, an MP from Kerala, highlighted his state’s model of inter-community relations as an example for the rest of India. NCP’s Dr. Fauzia Khan emphasized the continued importance of Muslim voters, while also warning about the dangers of electoral commercialization and criminalization.
AAP MP Sanjay Singh delivered a fiery speech denouncing hate politics and vowing to continue his fight despite facing legal challenges. “I was put behind bars for six months through ED by the BJP-led government for speaking out against atrocities of the central government,” Singh said. “But I vow that I will always fight for justice, truth, unity and secularism.”
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi suggested practical steps for minority parliamentarians to coordinate their efforts, such as regular informal meetings. He also highlighted his successful intervention to protect the Sunehri Bagh Masjid near Parliament from potential demolition.
Former CPI(M) MP Mohammed Salim emphasized the need for Muslims to advocate for the rights of all marginalized communities, not just their own. He called for strategic coalitions between various disadvantaged groups to safeguard their interests.
Activist Shabnam Hashmi raised concerns about potential EVM manipulation in the recent elections. Despite some setbacks for the ruling coalition, she noted that communal incidents and targeting of minorities have continued unabated. Hashmi urged anti-communal groups to maintain their vigilance, especially with key state elections on the horizon.
The national meeting was organized by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR), a non-political, non-religious organization formed in June 2022. IMCR works to secure civil and constitutional rights for Muslims and other minority groups in India, in accordance with the Indian Constitution and international human rights standards. The diversity of voices present at the gathering underscored the broad-based concern over rising communal tensions and erosion of minority rights in India.
While speakers offered varying assessments of recent political developments, there was a clear consensus on the need for continued vigilance, inter-community solidarity, and a recommitment to constitutional values.As India grapples with deep-seated social and political divisions, the meeting served as a platform for constructive dialogue and strategy-building among opposition figures, civil society leaders, and representatives of minority communities. With critical state elections approaching and the next general election not far off, the ability of these diverse actors to maintain unity and effectively counter divisive narratives will be crucial in shaping India’s political future.
