Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President of the All-India Imam Association, on Thursday, 21 May called for communal harmony and mutual respect between communities, while sharply criticising the use of hate-driven rhetoric in politics and society. His remarks came against the backdrop of an ongoing cattle crisis in West Bengal that has left many Hindu farmers and traders in financial distress.

Muslims in Bengal Chose Restraint as a Gesture of Respect

Rashidi highlighted what he described as a voluntary act of solidarity by Muslims in the state. “It has been seen that Muslims in Bengal chose not to buy cows, saying, ‘Hindus consider the cow as their mother, and we respect their faith,’ in an attempt to send a strong message of harmony and respect,” he said.

He added that if Hindus remained united and aware, the cow could eventually be declared the national animal — a remark that underscored his broader pitch for inter-community goodwill over political provocation.

Economic Crisis Gripping Bengal’s Cattle Farmers

Rashidi drew attention to the deepening economic hardship among cattle farmers and traders in West Bengal, stating that declining cattle sales had pushed many to the brink. “Many Hindu cattle farmers in Bengal are facing an economic crisis. People have come out on the streets expressing their distress, saying that their businesses have collapsed because cows are not being sold and that they are burdened with debt,” he said.

He also questioned why Right-wing organisations such as the Bajrang Dal had not stepped forward to provide tangible support to struggling cattle farmers, arguing that their silence on the economic dimension of the crisis was conspicuous.

Warning Against Misuse of Religion

While acknowledging the cow’s religious significance for Hindus, Rashidi drew a firm line between faith and incitement. “The problem arises when people misuse faith, when riots are incited in the name of religion, when Muslims are attacked in the name of faith, and when attempts are made to spread unrest in the country, creating hatred between Hindus and Muslims,” he said.

This comes amid a broader pattern of communal tensions periodically flaring around cattle-related disputes across several Indian states, making Rashidi’s appeal particularly pointed in the current political climate.

Rashidi Slams Declining Standards of Political Discourse

Commenting on the use of the term ‘traitor’ by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Rashidi criticised the overall deterioration of political language in the country.

“These days the standard of politics has fallen so low. Terms like ‘Jersey cow,’ ‘traitor,’ ‘vote thief,’ and similar expressions have become common in politics. I believe we are witnessing a decline in both the standards and the spirit of politics,” he said.

He was unambiguous that such language had no place in either public life or political discourse. “Using words like ‘traitor’ or ‘Jersey cow’ is unacceptable not only in politics but also in society,” Rashidi added.

With the Bengal cattle crisis showing no signs of immediate resolution, Rashidi’s intervention signals that religious leaders are increasingly stepping into the space between economic grievance and communal tension — a space that political parties on all sides have so far struggled to navigate constructively.