A fresh controversy erupted when Maulana Mahmood Madani declared that “Vande Mataram is anti-Islam,” a claim that immediately triggered nationwide debate. However, the strongest opposition to his statement came not from outside the Muslim community but from within.
Prominent Muslim scholars, social groups, and community leaders openly criticised the remark, asserting that such positions harm the community, distort priorities, and mislead the youth. They emphasised that Indian Muslims want progress, opportunity, and dignity, not fear-based politics.
Shahid Sayeed, National Spokesperson of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), said that Madani’s statement distances Muslims from mainstream society. He asserted that Indian Muslims enjoy security, respect, and representation in every major field, including the armed forces, judiciary, bureaucracy, arts, sports, and science.
According to him, repeatedly projecting Muslims as alienated only fuels negativity. He stated that questioning Vande Mataram amounts to denying the freedom struggle and disrespecting the nation.
He stressed that the national song contains no element of shirk and symbolises the same reverence for the motherland that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) showed for Madina.
Community Rejects Divisiveness
Dr Shalini Ali, National Coordinator of MRM and a leading advocate for women’s empowerment, said that the real needs of Indian Muslims are education, healthcare, skills, and employment. She cautioned that controversies like these only push the community into unnecessary conflict.
She added that those who create distance between Hindus and Muslims are the biggest enemies of both communities.
Dr Shalini Ali reaffirmed that Indian Muslims have a longstanding tradition of peace and national loyalty, which cannot be shaken by divisive rhetoric.
Dr Shahid Akhtar, Acting Chairman of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, said that Islam and patriotism reinforce each other. He argued that the attempt to stir controversy around Vande Mataram is an effort to mislead Muslims.
The real battles, he said, are against terrorism, radicalisation, poverty, and backwardness, not against national symbols.
Maulana Qari Abrar Jamal Qasmi of Jamiat Himayat-ul-Islam raised a pointed question: if Madani is genuinely concerned about Muslims, why does he stay silent on terrorism? He stated that terrorism damages Islam more than anything else.
He criticised the double standards of remaining quiet on violence while targeting a national song that holds emotional significance for millions.
Sufi saint Shah Syed Ziyarat Ali Malang Haqqani concluded that Islam’s foundation lies in love, compassion, and humanity. He said that the community’s real struggle is against unemployment, illiteracy, and social backwardness.
Any statement that divides society, he declared, is neither Islamic nor beneficial for Indian Muslims.
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