Dispute Erupts Over Madani’s Discrimination Allegations

Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulema‑e‑Hind, asserted that Muslims in India face systematic exclusion from high-level academic and administrative roles, citing the case of Al‑Falah University and the investigation surrounding it. He contrasted this with the election of Muslim mayors such as Zohran Mamdani in New York and Sadiq Khan in London, arguing that in India “a Muslim cannot even become a university vice-chancellor”. His remarks triggered sharp retaliation from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused him of blame-game politics and claimed that Muslims have held prominent positions including those of president and chief justice.

Madani spoke at the Jamiat headquarters in Delhi, during which he emphasised what he described as the government’s continuing efforts to prevent Muslims from “raising their heads”. He referenced the prosecution of Al-Falah University’s founder, Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, who is under Enforcement Directorate custody, and former politician Azam Khan, imprisoned in another case, as evidence. He said that despite international examples of Muslim leadership, in India even academic leadership remains inaccessible to Muslims.

The BJP responded swiftly, with spokespersons describing Madani’s comments as “irresponsible” and “confusing” while pointing out that Muslims, as per the party, have become presidents, vice-presidents, chief justices, ministers and captains of national sports teams. BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the statement ignored these facts and accused Madani’s organisation of resorting to “save-terrorist jamaat” rhetoric. The party drew attention to the ongoing Al-Falah University investigation, which it said involved criminal allegations and should not be conflated with minority representation issues.

Opposition parties responded differently. A leader of the Indian National Congress, Udit Raj, supported Madani’s core claim on the under-representation of Muslims, citing that not one of the 48 central universities in India has a vice-chancellor from Muslim, Dalit or OBC communities. Another Congress figure, Sandeep Dikshit, argued that while the government should act against individuals who break the law, that should not lead to institutional targeting of entire communities.

Legal and institutional experts said Madani’s remarks underline two overlapping debates: the merits of representation of marginalised religious communities in key institutions, and the proper handling of law-enforcement action against individuals or entities linked to criminal investigations. The Al-Falah University case is seen as a test-case: the institution’s alleged role in the Al Falah doctors’ involvement in the Red Fort Metro Station blast and subsequent money-laundering probe has made it controversial. Madani characterised it as part of what he described as broader governmental pressure on Muslims, while his critics say the case reflects normal application of law.