Modi may soon say 'Namaz' and 'Zakat' are not Muslim traditions and ban them too : Maulana Arshad Madani

Maulana Arshad Madani, chief of Ulema-e-Hind, criticises PM Modi’s statement that the Indian Constitution does not mention ‘Waqf’

(Zakat means Muslims donating a certain amount of their income to charity)

Patna (Bihar) – “In our country, many people think beyond Hindu and Muslim identities. We consider the Waqf Amendment Bill as interference in religious matters. Waqf is our religious right. Modi says, ‘There is no mention of Waqf in the Constitution.’ I was shocked. What Allah has decreed is right, and what the Prophet has said is tradition. I wonder how Modi can declare it wrong ? Tomorrow, he might say “Zakat and Namaz are not traditions” and try to stop them too,” said Maulana Arshad Madani, head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, criticising Prime Minister Modi’s statement. He made this remark during a conference of the organisation here. On 23rd November, Prime Minister Modi had stated at the BJP headquarters in Delhi that Waqf is not mentioned in the Constitution.

Maulana Madani further stated,

1. This is our country, regardless of religion. Just as five sons may have one set of parents, the same applies here. Modi should avoid making such frivolous statements. He is the Prime Minister, and such remarks create hatred against Muslims. (When Dr Manmohan Singh, as Prime Minister, said “Muslims have the first right to the nation’s resources,” how did it sit well with Muslims ? Madani must answer this – Editor)

2. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has made sacrifices for love and the Prophet. We work to maintain peace in the country. (This could well be called the biggest joke in this country. Who has caused and is still causing the most violence, terrorism, and unrest in this country is known to the world – Editor)

3. Our ancestors sacrificed for the country’s independence. We have turned that into a tradition. (They did not fight for independence but to re-establish Muslim rule, as history reveals. Even today, their Jihad aims for the same – Editor)

4. If someone thinks the country’s customs were shaped only by Hindus, they lack global awareness. Our ties with this country date back 145 years, and no one can deny that.

5. Criticising Himanta Biswa Sarma, Madani said, “The Assam Chief Minister camped in Jharkhand day and night, but the people rejected him.” (The BJP lost the assembly elections there.) Hindus and Muslims in Jharkhand are citizens alike. They have rejected politics of hate. (If so, why doesn’t Madani comment on Maharashtra Hindus defeating “vote jihad” ? – Editor)

6. When one person commits a wrong, the entire family suffers punishment. (If someone steals, robs, or commits fraud, his entire family enjoys that money, then why is punishing them wrong ? – Editor) Allah has approved our principles. I dare them to try bulldozing our homes now. (Why doesn’t Madani speak about the demolition of Hindu shops in Kashmir, disregarding the Supreme Court ? – Editor) The Supreme Court judges who gave the verdict were not Muslims but Hindus. The Court’s decision has caused confusion for some. We have repeatedly approached the Supreme Court for justice and succeeded.

The Congress’s goal was not independence for the nation

Madani said, “We fought for independence before the Congress was born. The Congress was not established to secure the country’s independence but to create harmony between the British Government and the people.” (Does the Congress, known for appeasing Muslims, agree with this ? Will it respond ? – Editor)

Editorial Perspectives

PM Modi has reiterated what is explicitly stated in the Indian Constitution. However, certain political parties have been misusing the Constitution to appease minorities while suppressing Hindu rights.

Their overreaction to PM Modi’s statement reveals their discomfort with the truth. Many Indians now believe that instead of reforming the Waqf Act, PM Modi should scrap it altogether.