All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi drew sharp condemnation from political and religious leaders on Saturday, 29 August, after he allegedly claimed that implementing Sharia law in India would 'stop rape cases' in the country. Leaders across party lines demanded strong legal action, with some calling for his expulsion from India.

The Controversial Remarks

Rashidi reportedly made two contentious statements in quick succession. In the first, he claimed that enforcing Sharia law would curb sexual violence in India. In an earlier remark, he had said: 'Rapes are occurring because marriages are being delayed. If you want to ensure your daughters' safety, get them married early.' Both statements have been widely condemned as regressive and constitutionally untenable.

Political Leaders Respond

Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Vinod Bansal launched a sharp attack, saying: 'People with such mentality should not be allowed to stay in India. Such Maulanas are poisonous snakes in the name of Islam and should be dealt with according to the law. Strong action should be taken against such a Maulana who doesn't acknowledge India's Constitution. He could either be in jail or ousted from the country.'

Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief Om Prakash Rajbhar echoed the demand: 'If you want to live in India, you have to abide by the Indian Constitution. If you do not want to live in India and want to follow a new law, then go to Pakistan.'

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dinesh Sharma stated: 'Criminals need to be punished according to the law. India will be governed by the Constitution, not Sharia law, and everyone has the freedom to practice their religion here. However, the country will have one criminal law for all. People involved with religious matters should not do politics on women's security.'

Muslim Religious Leaders Also Reject the Call

Notably, the backlash was not confined to Hindu or political organisations. All India Muslim Jamaat National President Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi firmly rejected Rashidi's position: 'India can be neither a Hindu nor an Islamic nation, so implementation of Sharia law is not possible here.'

Bareilvi further cautioned against the divisive implications of such demands: 'Whoever talks about the implementation of Sharia law in India — that is not possible here. Otherwise, the other community will also seek the creation of a Hindu state, which will ultimately lead to conflicts. Such a situation is not in the welfare of a nation.' He underlined that India's democratic, multi-faith framework is itself a source of global recognition.

Broader Context

The controversy surfaces at a time when debates over personal law, uniform civil code, and women's safety remain politically charged in India. Rashidi's remarks, especially the one linking early marriage to women's safety, have drawn particular ire from women's rights advocates. This is not the first time a religious figure's comments on Sharia applicability in India have triggered a cross-party response — similar controversies have periodically flared since the Supreme Court's 2017 triple talaq ruling. The remarks are described as 'alleged' as Rashidi has not been quoted directly in an official statement.

As of Saturday, no formal police complaint had been publicly confirmed, though leaders have called for legal action under existing Indian law.