All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi on Monday, 18 May defended remarks made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief Arshad Madani and mounted a pointed critique of what he described as a systematic campaign of 'intimidation' against Muslims in India. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Rashidi also addressed recent controversies surrounding Azaan, the Bhojshala complex, and questions of religious identity.

Allegations of Growing Intimidation

Rashidi stated there was 'no doubt' that Muslims were being made to feel fearful through repeated public campaigns and communal incidents. He cited calls from public platforms urging people not to conduct business with Muslims or rent properties to them, as well as disturbances in the name of cow vigilantism, as evidence of a climate of fear.

'The way open calls are made from public platforms that Muslims are infidels, and people should not have any dealings with them or rent out houses and shops to them, and the kind of disturbances taking place in the name of cows, make it quite clear that Muslims are being intimidated and threatened, and to some extent, they are indeed fearful,' he said.

Despite this, Rashidi claimed that Islam continued to grow in India, citing a report he attributed to a prominent television channel that allegedly showed 3 million people converted to Islam after 2015. He further asserted — in a claim that is contested — that Islam 'predated Hinduism' as 'the primordial religion'.

On Azaan and Religious Equality

Responding to remarks by Uttar Pradesh Minister Jaiveer Singh on Azaan, Rashidi termed the statement 'highly absurd'. He argued that loud religious events of other communities — including overnight Jagratas, street processions, and DJ music during the Kanwar Yatra — continue without objection from Muslims or FIRs being filed.

'When the Kanwar Yatra procession passes through, the noise is so intense that it feels as though the very earth is shaking. Yet, no Muslim has ever complained about this, nor has anyone filed an FIR,' he said.

Bhojshala Verdict and Supreme Court Challenge

On the Madhya Pradesh High Court's ruling declaring the Bhojshala complex a temple, Rashidi said the Muslim side would challenge the order before the Supreme Court. He called the High Court decision 'unilateral' and expressed confidence it would be overturned.

'I believe that, in due course, the Supreme Court will set aside this verdict, and Muslims will once again offer Namaz at the site,' he said. He also noted that the original statue of Saraswati linked to the site is reportedly housed in London, arguing that the provenance issue must be addressed first.

On 'Bharat Mata' and Religious Identity

Responding to criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul over Muslim attitudes toward the concept of 'Bharat Mata', Rashidi said the objection was rooted in Islamic theology rather than a lack of patriotism.

'This is a direct assault on our faith. The belief held by Muslims is that we do not regard India as a mother. We have only one mother: the woman who gave us birth. We do not even worship her, nor do we prostrate before her. How, then, could we possibly prostrate before the earth?' he said.

He clarified that Muslims respect the country but do not practise worship of land or objects, while also cautioning against conflating political religion with governance. 'When religion mounts the shoulders of politics, justice perishes. When justice dies, governments lose their way,' he warned. All statements attributed to Rashidi are his own and do not represent NationPress's editorial position.