Supreme Court doesn't deserve to be called 'supreme' if...: Jamiat chief Maulana Mahmood Madani stirs row

Courts in India working under government's pressure, he says

Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani made some strong remarks on the Supreme Court suggesting that the top court is working "under government pressure" and it does not deserve to be called 'supreme'.

Madani was speaking at the National Governing Body meeting of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind in Bhopal on Saturday when he made the remarks adding that the Muslim community in the country feels "unsafe".

"After the verdict into Babri Masjid, triple talaq and several other cases, it seems that courts are functioning under government pressure for a few years now. The court is hearing Gyanvapi and Mathura cases while ignoring the (Places of) Worship Act. Supreme Court is eligible to be called supreme only when it follows the Constitution and when it upholds the law. If it doesn't do that, it doesn't deserve to be called 'Supreme'," he said.

The Islamic scholar added that Muslims are deeply hurt by the use of phrases like ‘love jihad,’ ‘land jihad,’ ‘education jihad,’ and ‘spit jihad'.

"The current situation of the country is very sensitive and concerning. Sadly, a particular community is being forcibly targeted, while other communities are rendered legally powerless, socially segregated and economically humiliated. There are bulldozer actions, mob lynching, seizure of Waqf properties and negative campaigns against religious madrasas and reforms, to undermine their religion, identity and existence...This has made Muslims feel unsafe even as they walk down the streets," Madani added.

Reacting to Madani's comments, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra said that the Supreme Court never makes any judgement based on religion, and asserted that the apex court take suo motu congnisance of Madani's remarks.

Earlier, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani's remarks alleging discrimination against Muslims while citing the example of the Al Falah University, which is under scanner in the Delhi blast probe, triggered a row with the BJP, saying the "aatanki bachao (save terrorist) jamaat" has become active.

Madani had claimed that while Zohran Mamdani had been elected the mayor of New York and a Khan could become the mayor of London, Muslims in India cannot even become vice chancellors in universities.

"The world thinks that Muslims have been crippled and finished. I don't believe so. Today, a Muslim, Mamdani, can become the mayor of New York, a Khan can become mayor of London; whereas in India, no one can even become a university vice-chancellor," he said at a session at the Jamiat headquarters here on Saturday.

"And even if someone does, they will be sent to jail, like Azam Khan. Look at what is happening today with Al Falah. He (the founder) is in jail, and no one knows how many years he will be in jail," Madani said.

The government is working relentlessly to ensure that Muslims never raise their heads, the chief of one of the two factions of Jamiat alleged.

BJP leaders slammed Madani for the remarks and accused him of giving a communal colour to the Delhi blast probe.

(With PTI inputs)