Is the Education System Undergoing Saffronisation? Muslim Students Forced to Sing Vande Mataram, Claims Madani
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- JUH condemns saffronisation efforts in education.
- Concerns raised about Islamophobia and hate violence.
- Call for legal actions against misinformation.
- Support for safeguarding madrasas and Islamic education.
- Opposition to the Uniform Civil Code as a threat to religious freedom.
New Delhi, Nov 29 (NationPress) The National Governing Body Meeting of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH) took place in Bhopal on Saturday, presided over by Maulana Mahmood Madani. The assembly passed significant resolutions addressing critical matters such as “Islamophobia”, “madrasa protection”, the “Uniform Civil Code (UCC)”, “Waqf reforms”, “Love Jihad” propaganda, and the ongoing crisis in Palestine.
Over 1,500 council members from across the nation were in attendance.
In a resolution addressing the “saffronisation of education”, the organization condemned perceived attempts to force Muslim students to sing Vande Mataram and engage in practices such as Surya Namaskar.
“Islam is based on the unwavering belief in the Oneness of Allah. Thus, no Muslim should worship anyone other than Allah or partake in rituals or symbols belonging solely to polytheistic religions,” it stated.
The JUH voiced its “serious concern” over what it termed a growing wave of “Islamophobia”, “discrimination”, and “hate-driven violence.”
Pointing to the media and political factions that incite hostility, the group called for a concrete national action plan to combat hate speech, ensuring strict accountability from law enforcement agencies, and disqualifying political candidates who promote communal rhetoric.
Furthermore, it demanded the establishment of a dedicated law against hate crimes.
The meeting delivered a resolute statement on safeguarding Islamic madrasas, accusing “communal governments” of attempting to tarnish or close these institutions through “fabricated reports.”
Referring to actions taken in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Assam, the JUH urged the central government to take legal action against those disseminating misinformation about madrasas. It also supported ongoing legal initiatives and recommended that madrasa administrators comply with previously issued “documentation and compliance guidelines.”
The organization encouraged community members to support new educational institutions, particularly those for girls, as well as teacher-training centers, while promoting Islamic-oriented preschools.
The JUH strongly criticized the push for a Uniform Civil Code, describing it as an effort to undermine religious freedom.
A resolution concerning the narrative of “Love Jihad” labeled the term as defamatory and Islamophobic, asserting that “Jihad” is a spiritual and humanitarian concept that has been distorted by anti-Muslim factions, urging the government to ban inflammatory language.
Regarding Palestine, the JUH reaffirmed its support for a sovereign state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, calling on India to maintain its historical pro-Palestine position.