India’s top Muslim body launches nationwide campaign over attacks

NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — India’s most influential Muslim organization has announced a nationwide campaign against the growing social and political marginalization of Muslims, warning that mob violence, mosque demolitions and attacks on constitutional rights have created an increasingly hostile environment for the country’s largest religious minority.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said it will also publish a comprehensive document detailing the deteriorating condition of Muslims, communal tensions and violations of fundamental rights in an effort to mobilize wider public opinion and “awaken the conscience” of Indian society.

The decisions were taken at the Board’s Executive Committee meeting and announced at a press conference in New Delhi by national spokesperson Dr. S. Q. R. Ilyas.

He said the body conducted an extensive review of the situation facing both the country and the Muslim community before adopting a series of resolutions.

According to the Board, the proposed nationwide movement will focus on rising incidents of mob lynching targeting Muslims, demolition drives against mosques, madrasas, and Muslim neighborhoods; “bulldozer terrorism”; efforts to make the Hindu nationalist song Vande Mataram compulsory in educational institutions and government functions; implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in BJP-governed states, and recent court developments concerning the historic Kamal Maula Mosque.

“The executive committee expressed grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation,” Ilyas said, adding that the Board believes Muslims’ lives, property, places of worship, personal law, fundamental rights and even their faith and beliefs are under continuous attack in BJP-administered states.

Responding to questions about opposition parties, Ilyas said the Board was dissatisfied with their response as well.

“We are unhappy with all parties, including the Congress. None of them raises issues of Muslims strongly,” he told reporters.

The Board said it would prepare a detailed report documenting communal tensions and violations of constitutional rights, arguing that the erosion of the rights of India’s second-largest religious community ultimately threatens the country’s democratic structure, social harmony and overall development.

The Executive Committee also expressed concern over the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s ruling in the Kamal Maula Mosque case, arguing that the judgment contradicts historical evidence, revenue records, colonial-era documents and centuries-old Muslim worship at the site. The Board welcomed the mosque committee’s appeal before the Supreme Court and pledged full legal assistance in the case.

On the issue of Vande Mataram, the Board maintained that making the song compulsory violates Article 25 of India’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

It welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s interim order staying a West Bengal government directive requiring the song to be sung in government-aided madrasas and reiterated its position that parts of the song conflict with the Islamic principle of Tawhid, or the absolute oneness of God.

The organization also voiced opposition to the Uniform Civil Code, noting that after Uttarakhand and Gujarat, similar legislation is being prepared in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

It argued that the code is a non-binding directive principle rather than a mandatory constitutional requirement and said it would continue challenging such laws through the courts.

To coordinate the planned campaign, the Board announced the formation of an Action Committee and indicated that nationwide activities could begin by the end of July.