Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, finds himself at the center of a political storm after claiming radical elements exist equally among Hindus and Muslims. Congress leader Udit Raj wasted no time in countering, calling the narrative flawed and dangerous.
In a detailed Facebook post followed by media interactions, Raj dissected Madani’s speech. ‘Extremism isn’t a symmetric problem. One side’s radicals wield state power historically; the other’s fight systemic marginalization,’ he wrote, sparking thousands of shares.
The trigger was Madani’s address where he warned, ‘People with radical ideologies are present on both sides.’ Aimed at fostering communal harmony, it instead prompted accusations of false equivalency from across the spectrum.
Udit Raj, elevated to national spokesperson role in Congress, leveraged the moment to highlight what he calls ‘selective outrage.’ He pointed to recent incidents of vigilante violence versus online hate speech, arguing for nuanced discourse.
The exchange unfolds against a backdrop of rising communal incidents reported by rights groups. With Lok Sabha polls on the horizon, every statement is scrutinized for electoral implications.
Jamiat’s stance has historically shaped Muslim political preferences, often aligning with secular fronts. Raj’s intervention tests Congress’s internal dynamics on faith-based issues.
Analysts predict this could escalate if other leaders join in. Raj ended on a constructive note, proposing inter-community panels to address grievances transparently.
Public reaction remains split, with urban liberals backing Madani’s call for mutual accountability and conservative voices echoing Raj’s critique. This episode underscores the tightrope Indian politicians walk in discussing faith and fanaticism.