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.
President of the umbrella Muslim organisation, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, expressed serious concern over the explosion and urged the government to ensure a thorough, unbiased, and multi-dimensional investigation into the incident.
Maulana Rahmani stated that if the explosion was accidental, it was an extremely unfortunate tragedy that resulted in the loss of many innocent lives. However, if it was an act of terrorism, it is deeply alarming and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the country’s security apparatus, especially if even the most sensitive areas of the national capital are not secure.
Joining the condemnation, 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.
The All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) also condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic bomb blast resulting in the loss of innocent lives and injuries to many.
The AIMMM President Feroze Ahmad Advocate, in a statement, unequivocally condemned this heinous act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms. He said such cowardly attacks are against humanity, peace, and the fundamental values of our nation. Violence of any kind cannot be justified under any circumstance or ideology.
The Mushawarat also expressed serious concern over the apparent lapse in security within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, which houses the country’s most sensitive administrative, diplomatic, and cultural landmarks.
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.”
President (Amir) of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith Hind, Maulana Asghar Ali Imam Mahdi Salafi, said the blast was not merely a tragic accident but also a moment of serious reflection, as it claimed numerous innocent lives. He stated that the incident has shaken not only the families of the victims but also the entire nation and humanity at large.
“No words are strong enough to denounce such a heinous crime against humanity,” he said, stressing that those responsible for this despicable act must be brought to justice without delay.
Meanwhile, Prof M H Jawahirullah, MLA and President of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), also condemned the blast. “This act of terrorism, which has claimed innocent lives and spread fear, stands against peace and humanity,” he said in a statement.
“The real culprits behind this act of terrorism must be identified, brought to justice, and punished expeditiously. Let us all unite and work tirelessly to overcome violence and fear and build a society rooted in peace and humanity,” Prof Jawahirullah added.
