Madani alleged the judiciary is ‘under government pressure’ and claimed recent verdicts have violated minority rights — remarks the BJP says are designed to sow suspicion and unrest.
BY PC BUREAU
November 29, 2025: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani sparked a major controversy with his statement that “if there is oppression, there will be jihad” even as he accused the judiciary and the government of eroding constitutional protections for minorities. His remarks prompted an immediate and sharp response from the BJP, which said he was inciting Muslims and challenging the authority of the courts.
Addressing a gathering, Madani alleged that recent judicial verdicts — including those on the Babri Masjid dispute and the abolition of triple talaq — pointed to “government pressure on the judiciary.” He claimed that “many decisions in the past few years have violated the constitutional rights of minorities.”
‘Supreme Court Is Supreme Only When It Upholds the Constitution’
Pointing to cases proceeding despite the Places of Worship Act, 1991, Madani said such developments reflected “constitutional deviations.”
“The Supreme Court is entitled to its title only as long as the Constitution is protected there,” he said. “If this is not ensured, then the Court does not deserve to be called supreme even in name.”
Madani also spoke about the larger mood towards Muslims in India. According to him, around 10 percent of the population supports Muslims, 30 percent is opposed to them, while the remaining 60 percent is silent.
“Muslims must engage with this silent majority,” he said. “If these 60 percent turn hostile, the country will face serious consequences.”
‘Jihad Is Holy, Not a Slur’
Madani criticised the frequent use of terms such as love jihad, land jihad and spit jihad, saying they distort a sacred concept.
“Jihad was and will always remain holy,” he said. “Our scriptures speak of jihad only for the good and betterment of others.”
Reiterating his earlier remark, he said:
“If there is oppression, there will be jihad.”
However, he stressed that India’s secular democracy does not permit any violent interpretation.
“Muslims in India follow the Constitution,” he said. “If rights are violated, the responsibility lies with the government.”
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Remarks on Vande Mataram Add Fuel to Fire
Madani also stirred debate with his comments on Vande Mataram.
“A dead community surrenders,” he said. “If someone asks us to say Vande Mataram and we simply begin to recite it, that would show we are a dead community. A living community faces the situation.”
BJP Fires Back: ‘New Jinnahs Are Emerging’
Madani’s comments triggered a fierce counterattack from BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma, who accused him of inciting Muslims and attacking the judiciary.
“New Jinnahs are emerging in India who want to provoke Muslims,” Sharma said. He called for the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance and initiate action against Madani.
Sharma alleged that Madani was “violating the Constitution” and “challenging the Supreme Court” and warned him to “stay within constitutional limits.”
In an aggressive escalation, he accused Madani of “backing terrorists, jihadists and rapists” and promoting ideas like love jihad and land jihad.
“Will you spread terrorism, kill innocents, and then expect the Supreme Court to reward you? The Court will hang you,” he said.
Sharma also said anyone who questions the judiciary or the Constitution should face severe legal consequences.
“If your children become doctors, the country will salute you,” he said. “But if they become doctors who throw bombs, they will die by bombs.”
He concluded by saying the government would not “feed sweets to terrorists” and reiterated that Madani must not “question the Supreme Court.”
