The Hindu–Muslim Unity Conference organised by Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh saw participation of itellectuals of different faiths who emphasised on the need to raise voice againsy communalism and hatred.
LUCKNOW — President of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maulana Arshad Madani expressed his deep concern over the country’s present political and social conditions and said that earlier only Muslims were on the target of the communal forces, but during the past few years, because of the politics of hatred, both Muslims and Islam have come under the target of the communal forces.
Maulana Madani, while delivering the presidential address at the Hindu–Muslim Unity Conference organised by Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh on Saturday (July 18) at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Centre in Lucknow, said this politics of hatred has brought the country to such a crossroads from where no way forward is visible. He said that we will have to change this atmosphere, and for this, practical efforts will have to be made at every level.
This change will not come until we bring together like-minded people of other religions and raise our voice against communalism and hatred. The task is certainly difficult, but it is not impossible. Maulana Madani said that, in these fierce storms of hatred, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has set out to light the lamps of love. You are also a part of this campaign, and so is every justice-loving citizen of the country. He further said that the circumstances are indeed explosive, but we do not need to become disappointed. Rather, what is needed is that through our character and actions we try to turn this despair into hope.
Turning the pages of history, he said that when the British had completely established their control over the country, the first voice against them arose from a madrasa in Delhi. This voice was that of Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlavi. At that time, he declared that the country had now become enslaved; therefore, fighting against the British was the duty of every Muslim and every Indian citizen. As a consequence of this, mountains of oppression were unleashed upon him, and his madrasa was demolished, but the British could not silence his voice. As a result, the uprisings of 1832 and 1857 took place, in which thousands of Ulama were killed. Apparently, they did not succeed against the British, but then the world saw that millions of voices joined that one voice, until eventually the British were forced to leave the country and flee.
Maulana Madani said that the voice which has been raised today from this conference against communalism and hatred can neither be suppressed by any power nor weakened. One day, millions and crores of voices will join this voice as well, and we will succeed in eradicating communalism and hatred from the country.
He once again clarified that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind is a religious organisation, and we have no connection with politics. We neither contest elections nor make anyone contest them. Rather, we want to convey the message of unity and solidarity in the country. Our objective is to make our fellow countrymen realise that hatred brings nothing but destruction and devastation, a reality that we are witnessing today with our own eyes.
He said that the history of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind bears witness that, both before Independence and after Independence, it has worked to build a bridge of love between Hindus and Muslims. The guiding principles that our elders laid down for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind are still being followed. It carries out all of its work above religious distinctions and solely on the basis of humanity. In this connection, he referred to the floods in Kerala and Punjab and explained how Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind and its volunteers helped the affected people. He further said that in Kerala, without looking at anyone’s religion, we even constructed houses that had been destroyed in the floods.
He also mentioned the sword hanging over the citizenship of forty lakh women in Assam during the NRC process and said that, among them, twenty-five lakh were non-Muslim women. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind fought this case in the Supreme Court and succeeded. In this way, the citizenship of forty lakh women was saved.
He further said that we carry everyone along with us and make no distinction between Hindus and Muslims. Our religions may be different, but as one nation, we are one. To eliminate hatred from the country, we will have to work with this very ideology.
Referring to the students protesting in Delhi, he said that the repeated paper leaks have ruined the future of lakhs of students. This should not happen. Such a weak system, which cannot even prevent paper leaks, should now be changed.
Referring to the controversy surrounding Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur, he said that constructing a building without the approval of the building plan is not such a crime that the entire building should be reduced to a heap of rubble. A fine can also be imposed on the university for this. However, it must be kept in mind that if such an action is taken, the careers of thousands of students studying there could be ruined.
Maulana Madani said with complete frankness that this situation has arisen because, for the past several years, the politics of hatred has been carried on continuously, and one particular community has been treated as guilty. Even if it does something good, some people still consider it to be wrong.
Chief Guest at the conference, the Mahant of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple in Varanasi, Dr. Vishwambhar Nath Mishra, while speaking on the occasion said that the blood of everyone is part of India’s freedom struggle, and the blood of all is mixed in this soil, which cannot be separated from one another. He said that such circumstances have arisen because people have now stopped speaking the truth. Everyone keeps waiting for someone else to speak. Things cannot continue in this way. Rather, everyone must now speak out against the injustice taking place in the country. We support the movement that Maulana Madani has initiated, and wherever our presence is needed, we will be there.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Indira Jaising said that today’s conference is a message of unity and brotherhood. She also said that the Constitution has granted equal rights to everyone and has directed that no discrimination be practiced against anyone. It is because of the Constitution that I reached the Supreme Court. She said that, seeing the condition of the country, I often remained saddened, wondering what would become of our country. But after witnessing today’s conference, in which people of all religions are present, I can say that no one can break this country apart. Maulana Madani has begun a great effort to unite the country, and all of us should come together to support him. She further said that the intellectual class, which shows the way to democracy, remains silent. This situation is extremely regrettable and deeply disappointing.
Maulana Asjad Madani, Vice President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, read out the declaration, which was endorsed by all those present by raising their hands. He said that the purpose of this conference is to eliminate communalism, hatred, and mutual estrangement from the country and to once again strengthen India’s ancient shared culture, love, tolerance, and the tradition of brotherhood.
Aaddressing the conference, Maulana Ashhad Rashidi, President of Jamiat Ulama Uttar Pradesh, welcomed the distinguished non-Muslim guests participating in the conference and said that today’s great conference is a shining proof of the fact that the message of love, brotherhood, national unity, and mutual respect is the greatest force for bringing hearts together.
The coming together today, under one roof, of people belonging to different religions, languages, and cultures is proof that the voice of love is more powerful than every voice of hatred.
Leading representatives of the Buddhist, Christian, and Sikh religions also addressed the conference and, speaking with one voice, said that the movement initiated by Maulana Madani is the need of the hour, and that all of us stand with him.
