Staff Reporter / Deoband
Addressing an Independence Day gathering at Darul Uloom Deoband, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani praised India’s independence and democracy as vital blessings while condemning forces attempting to erode the nation’s secular framework.
Emphasizing the historical contributions of the Muslim community, Maulana Madani stated that the history of India’s freedom struggle remains incomplete without acknowledging the sacrifices made by Darul Uloom Deoband, the Ulama, madrasas, and Muslims. He noted that the institution was founded in 1866 in the wake of the events of 1857 with the core purpose of producing freedom fighters, expressing deep concern over contemporary efforts to distort history and associate these historic institutions with terrorism.
Highlighting chapters of the independence movement such as the Silk Letter Movement and the imprisonment of figures like Shaikh al-Hind Maulana Mahmood Hasan Deobandi and Shaikh al-Islam Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani in Malta, he challenged sectarian critics to reflect on their own historical record before questioning the patriotism of Muslims and madrasas.
Addressing the broader political climate, Maulana Madani remarked that previous administrations also contributed to the social, educational, and political marginalization of Muslims through communal violence and discriminatory policies. However, he drew a distinction between past challenges and the current era, asserting that the contemporary climate involves direct ideological attacks on Islam itself.
Citing historical precedents such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, Maulana Madani expressed confidence in the resilience of Islam against state-sponsored suppression, stating that the faith and its followers continue to endure despite historical oppression.