India Tomorrow
New Delhi— A gathering of prominent social and educational figures convened today at the Madani Hall of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind office here at the invitation of JUH national president Maulana Mahmood Madani resolved to launch a platform to combat communalism and hate.
The meeting focused on the growing societal divisions and unrest in the country. Among the notable attendees was Tushar Arun Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, who announced the formation of a united platform to combat sectarianism. A committee will be established soon following further consultations.
In his inaugural remarks, Maulana Mahmood Madani expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment to addressing these critical issues. Tushar Arun Gandhi, the chief guest, expressed deep concern regarding the current situation faced by Muslims in India. He highlighted how right-wing groups have framed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the Waqf issue as solely Muslim problems, thereby distracting public attention from other policies that adversely affect various minority communities. This deliberate strategy has not only marginalized other minority concerns but has also exacerbated prejudice against Muslims.
Gandhi issued a stark warning about the future, stating, “If the systematic exclusion of Muslims continues, it could eventually lead to serious conflict.” He emphasized that anti-Muslim and anti-minority policies are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader agenda aimed at pushing minorities to the margins of society. There is an urgent need for legal and social actions to counter these discriminatory practices.
He concluded his address with a strong call for collective action, urging the establishment of dedicated groups that can legally and politically challenge rising intolerance towards minorities. “If we do not act now, we may face deeper divisions and unrest in the future,” he asserted.
Maulana Mahmood Madani added, “Today, our fellow countrymen are being incited against us, and there are efforts to politically and socially erase us. The responsible individuals within the majority community must play a pivotal role in this crucial time.”
He underscored the dangers of misinformation, stating, “Misinformation will also harm those who are using it. Today, our right to walk freely is being stripped away.” He recalled the incident of an elderly man being attacked and beaten on a train heading to Mumbai, where no one intervened.
He urged the community to reflect on what can be done to support Muslims and prevent further despair. “If we also adopt an aggressive tone and approach, it will not benefit the nation. Instead, we must extinguish the flames of hatred. You are the majority, and the country has great expectations from you,” he urged.
Renowned economist Professor Arun Kumar remarked that the efforts needed to unify society are not visible. He cautioned that policies favouring specific groups are increasing social division, and often the majority is exploited for broader agendas. Issues such as economic inequality, unemployment, and adverse economic models have led to increased tension within society.
Social thinker Vijay Pratap Singh emphasized the importance of opening the doors of dialogue for everyone, stating, “We need to explore opportunities within the framework of the Constitution to bridge social distances.”
Professor Sourabh Bajpai from Jawaharlal Nehru University highlighted the dual struggles required at this time: one political and the other social. He emphasized the need for strengthening and organizing the dialogue series initiated by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind to effectively advance social movements.
Journalist Aditya Menon pointed out that organizations like Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind are crucial in the fight against sectarianism. He stressed the necessity of having similar religious organizations among non-Muslims to address violent actions against minority communities promptly.
Dr. Javed Alam Khan, an educationist, called for a joint effort to tackle the challenges faced by marginalized groups, including Dalits, Adivasis, tribals, and Muslims. “We need a platform where representatives of these communities can share their experiences and collaborate on solutions,” he stated. Dr. Indu Prakash Singh emphasized the urgent need for cooperation in today’s climate.
Dr. Zafar Mahmood, Chairman of Zakat Foundation of India, underscored the importance of identifying these issues and responding to them through social media and other platforms. He also advocated for creating a glossary of religions and highlighted the significance of interfaith programmes.
Among other participants who shared their thoughts were Maulana Hakimuddin Qasmi , General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama–Hind, Daya Singh, Kailash Meena, Professor Mujibur Rahman, Saba Rahman, Maulana Niaz Ahmad Farooqi, Saif Ali Nadwi, Maulana Aminul Haq, Osama Qasmi, Rakesh Bhat, Dr. Javed Iqbal Wani, Nikita Chaturvedi, Khushbu Akhtar, Abubakar Sabbak Advocate, Anupam, Ghazanafar Ali Khan, Hamid Ali Khan, Shubh Murtthi, Askari Zaidi, Prashant Kamal, Maulana Muhammad Umar, Maulana Javed Siddiqui Qasmi, and Maulana Mahdi Hasan Aini, among others.
Additionally, a memorandum condemning the blasphemous remarks against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was approved during the meeting, with all attendees signing it. The memorandum urges the President of India to intervene as Head of State and direct the government to take swift and decisive action against such disrespectful remarks.
The signatories request that measures be implemented to foster interfaith dialogue and ensure respect for all religious sentiments, preventing any community from facing such offensive behavior. They declare unequivocally that they will not tolerate any insult to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or any sacred religious figure. They stand united in defense of his honour and demand the immediate cessation of any disrespectful rhetoric.
