Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani’s remarks on alleged discrimination against Muslims in connection with multiple investigations at Al Falah University in connection with the Red Fort blasts sparked a controversy with the BJP on Sunday (Nov 23, 2025). The BJP responded by claiming that the “aatanki bachao (save the terrorist) jamaat” had become active.
Mr. Madani argued that while Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York and Khan could become mayor of London, Muslims in India cannot even become vice-chancellors of universities.
“The world thinks that Muslims have been crippled and finished. I don’t believe that. Today a Muslim Mamdani can become mayor of New York, Khan can become mayor of London; while in India no one can even become a university vice-chancellor,” he said at a meeting at the Jamiat headquarters in New Delhi on Saturday (November 22, 2025).
“And even if someone does, he will be sent to jail, like Azam Khan. Look what is happening to Al Falah today. He (the founder) is in jail and no one knows how many years he will be in jail,” Mr Madani said. The government is working tirelessly to ensure that Muslims never raise their heads, says the head of one of the Jamiat’s two factions.
BJP leaders criticized Mr Madani for the remarks and accused him of giving a communal color to the Delhi blast probe.
Ruling party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, “In the name of vote bank, ‘bhaijaan appeasement’ and ‘aatanki bachao jamaat (terrorist saving group)’ have become active. “Arshade Madani ji, let’s leave aside this mayor talk; this country has seen muslims become president, vice president, chief justice, interior minister. The biggest artists and entrepreneurs also come from the Muslim community.” “When an act of terrorism happens, those people who say terrorism has no religion start advocating on behalf of terrorists on the basis of religion,” he said.
Responding to Mr Madani’s remarks, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: “In India, APJ Abdul Kalam who became president is an icon for Muslims. He always held his head high. Why make others an icon?” BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain slammed Arshad Madani’s statement as “very irresponsible”.
“He is an elder and should remember that Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has contributed to the freedom movement. He is defaming Hindustan with these words,” said Mr. Hussain.
Al Falah University became the focus of many security agencies after the explosion near the Red Fort on November 10, because there was a professor of medicine, Dr. Umar Un Nabi “suicide bomber”. In addition, Dr. worked at the university. Mujammil Shakeel, from whose rented accommodation in Faridabad, over 2,900 kg of explosives were recovered. On 17 November 2025, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 25 locations in Delhi and Faridabad as part of a money laundering investigation in connection with the ongoing blast investigation. The central agency also arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, the founder and chairman of Al Falah University, in a separate case involving alleged financial irregularities, forged accreditation documents and misuse of institutional funds. Siddiqui was remanded in ED custody for 13 days.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has already registered two FIRs against the university, one for cheating and the other for forgery-related offences. The Association of Indian Universities revoked Al Falah’s membership.
Published – 23 Nov 2025 19:31 IST
