Bhopal, Nov 30: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Mahmood Madani on Saturday said the word “jihad” is a sacred Islamic term that has been wrongly portrayed as a symbol of violence and unrest.
Speaking at the organisation’s national governing body meeting at Barkatullah Education Campus in Bhopal, Madani said jihad, in its true sense, represents a fight against injustice. “Wherever there is oppression, there will be jihad,” he said.
Madani argued that phrases like “love jihad”, “land jihad”, and “education jihad” insult the freedom and religion of Muslims. He added that the term has been repeatedly misused whenever any terrorist act occurs, leading to baseless accusations against Islam and Muslims.
He stated that the Quran uses the word jihad in multiple contexts, all aimed at individual and societal welfare. Even when used in the context of war, he said, it is meant to counter oppression and protect humanity.
He also said that in a democratic and secular country like India, where the concept of an Islamic state does not exist, the idea of jihad should not be a subject of controversy. According to him, Muslims are bound by the Constitution, and it is the government’s duty to safeguard citizens’ rights.
Madani criticised the judiciary, alleging that verdicts on issues such as the Babri Masjid and Triple Talaq had created the impression that courts were acting under government pressure. He also questioned the decisions in the Gyanvapi and Mathura cases and said that the Supreme Court’s authority rests on its adherence to the Constitution.
Calling the current situation in the country “sensitive and worrying,” he alleged that certain groups were working systematically to isolate and disenfranchise Muslims through social and economic pressure, bulldozer actions, mob lynching, and negative campaigning.
He claimed that religious propagation by Muslims is being criminalised, while activities such as “ghar wapsi” face no objections. He also accused groups of trying to defame the concept of halal, saying it represents an entire way of lawful and ethical living for Muslims.
Reacting to Madani’s remarks, BJP leader Narottam Mishra criticised his statements, saying that India would not tolerate such a mindset and questioned Madani’s comments on the courts and Vande Mataram.
