Arshad Madani Condemns Bangladesh Killing, Slams Double Standards on Mob Lynchings in India

New Delhi: Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH), has strongly condemned the mob lynching of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh, calling the act “brutal and savage.” In a media statement released on Tuesday, Madani also questioned the silence of the Indian government and media regarding similar incidents of mob violence within India, where Muslims and other minorities have been targeted.

Madani referred to the government’s and media’s differing responses to violence in Bangladesh and India, describing it as a “double standard.” He emphasized that such violence is contrary to Islamic teachings, and those responsible should face the harshest punishments for bringing disgrace to Islam.

The JUH leader also criticized the political exploitation of religion, stating that such acts have fueled religious extremism and made minorities across the world feel unsafe. He pointed out several recent incidents of violence, including the mob killing of a Muslim youth in Bihar, where the victim was questioned about his religion and name before being beaten to death. He also mentioned the attack on Christians during the Christmas festival, describing it as an assault on the religious freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

Madani noted that churches were attacked in multiple locations, and efforts were made to disrupt Christmas celebrations. Despite these incidents, he pointed out that neither the government nor any of its ministers had issued any condemnation. “What should we call this double standard?” he asked.

The JUH president stressed that religious extremism, not religion itself, is the core issue. While he acknowledged that everyone has the right to follow their religion, he warned that extremism distorts religious teachings and leads to intolerance towards other faiths, often resulting in violent conflict.

Madani also pointed out that while the killing in Bangladesh has been widely condemned, similar incidents in India often go unnoticed or unreported. He highlighted recent mob lynchings in Nalanda, Bihar, Kerala, and Odisha, where Muslim individuals were targeted and, in some cases, killed after being accused of being “outsiders” or “Bangladeshis.” Madani expressed disappointment that these incidents had not sparked televised debates or significant media coverage.

“Where does our humanity go when such incidents occur?” Madani questioned. “Is there any difference between the bloodshed in Bangladesh and the innocent lives lost here in India?”

He called for a reassessment of the nation’s approach to extremism, emphasizing the need for action to eliminate double standards in addressing violence. “If we claim to be a civilized, justice-loving society, we must prove it through our conduct and actions,” he added.

Madani concluded by reiterating his rejection of religious extremism, which he believes dehumanizes people and threatens national unity. He urged the nation to reflect on the growing divisions caused by religious extremism, warning that it is tarnishing India’s global image and jeopardizing the country’s reputation.
Source: India Tomorrow