NEW DELHI: Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani has launched a sharp critique against the Congress party. He directly attributes the party's loss of power to its flexible policy on communalism. Madani made these remarks in a detailed post on social media platform X.
Congress Accused of Weak Stand Against Communalism
Madani, who leads one faction of the prominent Muslim organization, stated that Congress lacked a strict stance against communalism seventy-seven years ago. He argued that this failure allowed communal forces to grow unchecked. According to Madani, if Congress had taken a firm position back then, the party might still hold power today. He also suggested that the country would have avoided reaching what he called the brink of destruction.
Historical Context and Written Assurances
The Jamiat chief provided historical context to support his claims. He revealed that senior leaders of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind secured a written assurance from Congress leaders before independence. This assurance promised a secular Constitution for India after independence. It guaranteed complete religious freedom for all minorities.
However, Madani pointed out a significant shift after independence and Partition. A large section of Congress leaders allegedly joined voices arguing against secularism. They contended that since Pakistan was created for Muslims, India's Constitution should not remain secular. This internal opposition weakened the commitment to secular principles.
Flexible Policy and Its Consequences
Madani described the Congress's approach during its rule as dangerously flexible. He accused the party of adopting a soft stance against religion-based hate politics from the very beginning. This flexibility, he claimed, caused severe damage to both the nation and the Constitution.
Communal forces received lenient treatment instead of facing strict legal action. The Constitution and laws required stronger measures, but Congress avoided them. This inaction gave communal elements ample opportunity to expand and strengthen over time.
Current Situation and Accountability
Seventy-seven years after independence, Madani expressed deep concern. He noted that the Constitution and democratic values are now being openly trampled upon. He believes even the leaders of the freedom movement could not have imagined this scenario.
Madani reiterated that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind held Congress leaders accountable at a critical moment. The organization reminded them that they signed the document leading to Partition. Therefore, they must fulfill their promise of a secular India. A secular Constitution was indeed framed, but communalism continued to grow silently and deeply.
Madani concluded by calling this an unfortunate truth. Congress leaders, perhaps out of fear, chose flexibility over firmness. This decision, he asserts, has had lasting negative impacts on the country's secular fabric and political landscape.
