Those Spreading Hatred Have No Place in India: Maulana Mahmood Madani
New Delhi/Guwahati: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President, Maulana Mahmood Madani, strongly criticized recent government actions in Assam during a press conference held in Guwahati on Tuesday. Speaking at Hotel RKD, he described the evictions and demolitions carried out in several areas as “inhumane” and in clear violation of Supreme Court guidelines.
Having visited multiple affected regions, Maulana Madani shared his observations:
“I saw the pain and despair on people’s faces. What’s even more heartbreaking is the humiliation — entire communities being labeled with derogatory terms like ‘Miya’ and ‘Doubtful’. This is not just about homes being demolished — it’s about dignity being destroyed.”
Clarifying his stance on illegal immigration, Madani said, “If someone is a foreign national, they should be deported — we have no sympathy for illegal migrants. But Indian citizens must be treated with justice and compassion. If eviction is necessary, it should be done according to the law, and with basic humanity.”
Referring to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comment suggesting he should be “sent to Bangladesh,” Maulana Madani responded calmly:
“I have been in Assam since yesterday. If the Chief Minister wants to send me, he can. But if someone whose ancestors were jailed six times during India’s freedom struggle can be threatened this way, then what hope is left for ordinary Muslims?”
In response to the CM’s claim that he was “not afraid,” Madani said, “He is the head of a state — why should he fear anyone? I am an ordinary citizen, a ‘zero’ in his words, and even I do not fear. But we must make one thing clear — those who spread hatred and divide our country have no place in India. Our civilization is ancient and inclusive. Anyone trying to deface it with hatred should look elsewhere — perhaps to Pakistan.”
Addressing questions about reports of damage to Namghars (traditional Assamese prayer halls), Maulana Madani stressed the importance of protecting both Namghars and mosques.
“Assam has a rich legacy of unity shaped by saints like Srimanta Shankar Dev and Azan Faqir. If Namghars are attacked today, mosques may not be safe tomorrow. It is our collective duty to protect both.”
He began the press conference by highlighting the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind’s 100-year history and its commitment to national unity. “Our organization played a vital role in the freedom movement. We’ve always opposed the Two-Nation Theory. We believe in serving the country not based on religion, but with patriotism and humanity,” he said.
Also present at the event were Maulana Mohammad Hakimuddin Qasmi (General Secretary), Maulana Abdul Qadir and Maulana Fazlur Kareem (Secretaries of Jamiat Ulama Assam). On this occasion, Maulana Abdul Qadir announced that Jamiat had distributed relief materials to 300 displaced families in Lakhiganj, Dhubri.
Source: TOI (Times of India)
