Indian Muslim body warns of systematic pressure on Muslims

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — One of India’s largest Muslim organizations has said “communal forces” backed by the Hindu supremacist government are systematically targeting Muslims and eroding constitutional protections under the country’s increasingly polarized political climate.

Speaking at a two-day national convention in the Indian capital, Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, alleged that anti-Muslim policies and hate-driven politics were intensifying under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government.

“The current situation in the country, the rising communalism, the silence of constitutional institutions, the increasing measures against Muslims and Islamic symbols, and politics based on hatred are extremely alarming,” Madani said while presenting a declaration adopted during the convention.

He accused authorities and Hindu nationalist groups of creating an atmosphere of intimidation targeting Muslims and Islamic identity across the country.

“Muslims have never bowed down and will never bow down,” Madani said. “They may bow out of love, but they can never be subdued through force, threats, or oppression.”

The organization alleged that mosques, Islamic seminaries and Muslim religious symbols were increasingly coming under pressure in different parts of India amid what it described as a broader ideological push to reshape the secular character of the country.

Jamiat leaders also criticized efforts in some BJP-ruled states to make the song “Vande Mataram” compulsory in educational institutions and public settings. The song, rooted in Hindu nationalist movements during British colonial rule, has long faced opposition from Muslim groups who argue parts of its lyrics conflict with Islamic monotheistic beliefs.

Madani accused authorities of attempting to give the song a status equal to India’s national anthem and warned that the organization would challenge such measures in court if necessary.

“Giving Vande Mataram a status equal to the national anthem and making it mandatory is against the original spirit of the Constitution,” he said.

The declaration adopted at the convention linked issues such as the proposed Uniform Civil Code, voter list revision exercises and actions against Islamic institutions to a wider campaign of political and ideological marginalization targeting Muslims.

“Politics rooted in hatred has now turned into politics of intimidation,” the declaration stated, alleging that Muslims were increasingly being made to feel they would only be allowed to live under imposed conditions.

The organization also raised concerns about recent elections and voter list revision drives in states including Assam and West Bengal, alleging that genuine Muslim citizens risked disenfranchisement during verification exercises.

Jamiat leaders urged Muslims to keep identity and citizenship documents prepared and said legal support would be provided to individuals facing difficulties during electoral verification processes.

Muslim groups, rights advocates and opposition parties in India have repeatedly accused the BJP and affiliated Hindu nationalist organizations of fueling anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies since Modi came to power in 2014. 

Concerns have intensified in recent years over mosque demolitions, citizenship policies, anti-conversion laws, vigilante violence and bulldozer demolitions disproportionately affecting Muslims.

The convention concluded with an appeal to opposition parties, civil society groups and citizens to unite against what the organization described as “communal and fascist forces” and defend constitutional values, justice and religious coexistence.

“We appeal to all justice-loving parties, social organizations, and patriotic citizens to jointly struggle for brotherhood, tolerance, justice, and the supremacy of the Constitution,” Madani said.