The explosion has exposed deep flaws in the country’s internal security system and the fragile trust between communities; Muslim leaders have demand accountability — not scapegoating.
NEW DELHI — Several Muslim leaders and activists have condemned Monday’s explosion near the iconic Red Fort in the national capital and expressed deep concern about the government’s handling of such incidents.
The leaders expressed shock at the blast in which at least ten persons died and dozens were hospitalised with injuries. The police have registered a case under varied sections of the law suggesting that the crime may be considered a terrorist act.
Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, “strongly condemned” the deadly blast. “This is a grave crime against humanity. We express deep sorrow and grief over this tragedy and offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific incident. We also express solidarity with the injured and pray for their speedy recovery,” the Jamaat chief said in a statement.
He asked the government to conduct a thorough probe into the blast and unearth those who are actually behind it and take stern action against them.
Similarly, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also expressed its grief at the loss of lives in the blast and condemned the dastardly act, the organisation said in a post on X. “We appeal to the public to remain calm and united, and not to pay heed to unverified information or rumours, Jamiat chief Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani said.
Prominent scholar Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their lives in the blast. He asked the authorities to support these families and ensure the injured receive the best treatment in the hospitals.
Syed Salman Chishty, the head of the Chishti Foundation and the head of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a statement. He said, “With deep sorrow and grief, we express our heartfelt condolences to all the families whose loved ones lost their lives in the tragic blast, and express our sympathy to all those injured in this tragedy.”
He appealed to all communities, religious institutions and individuals of conscience to stand united in a spirit of prayer, compassion and vigilance. “Our common humanity demands that we extend a hand of love, peace and support, instead of hatred, fear and suspicion,” he said in a statement.
Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, President, the Inter Faith Harmony Foundation of India, termed the attack as a cowardly assault on India’s sovereignty. He asked people of all sections to condemn it, “without any ifs or buts.”
“This barbaric act, which has claimed numerous innocent lives, has deeply wounded the nation’s soul, and our strongest patriotic response must be to stand united as one in this hour of profound grief and resolve.”
Renowned surgeon and Padmashree awardee, Dr Ilias Ali, said those choosing violence and terrorism are not followers of Islam and the Muslim community should boycott them.
Muslim leaders and activists condemned the explosion but also expressed deep concern about the government’s handling of such incidents.
Failure of intelligence and security.
Dr Tasleem Rahmani, President of the Muslim Political Council of India, told Clarion India in a telephone interview that the blast was a complete failure of intelligence and security.
He said, “Several arrests have been made from Gujarat to Haryana in the last few days. This shows that the agencies had information. Yet, despite the inputs, why was the internal security not on alert? This is the government’s failure.”
Expressing sorrow for the victims, Dr Rahmani added, “After every such incident, Muslims are arrested in large numbers. It becomes a way to defame a particular community. In many past cases, the courts later declared the accused innocent — but no one asks who the real culprits were.”
He urged authorities to “act with fairness” and not allow the incident to be used for political gain or communal polarisation. “The law must work impartially. Judging a matter on the basis of religion is itself a crime,” he said firmly.
Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, former Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission, said the explosion was “a deeply tragic event that deserves the strongest condemnation.” However, talking to Clarion India he warned against the pattern of blaming Muslims without evidence.
He said, “Every time such an incident happens, a narrative is built within hours — names of Muslims are flashed on television, and a community is stigmatised. This has become like a game to gain political mileage.”
Dr Khan compared the situation to media ethics in other countries. “Recently, in the UK, there was a knife attack on a metro train. For days, the suspect’s name was not revealed because the investigation was ongoing. In India, however, as soon as a Muslim is arrested, the name is announced with headlines — even before any proof,” he said.
He added that such practices “feed hatred and division” in a country that prides itself on secular democracy. “Many incidents have later turned out to be fabricated or politically motivated, but by then, the damage to communal harmony is done,” he said.
Civil rights groups also appealed to the media to report responsibly. “Irresponsible reporting and communal labelling only increase fear and mistrust,” said activist Sameena Khan. “The victims of both the blast and the bias deserve truth — not propaganda.”
The explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort has once again exposed deep flaws in the country’s internal security system and the fragile trust between communities. As investigations continue, Muslim leaders have demanded accountability — not scapegoating.
“The government must find the real culprits,” said Dr Rahmani. “And this time, the innocent should not pay the price for the failure of the system.”
