Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind Challenges Demographic Jihad Narrative, Questions Government Accountability

New Delhi, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : Over 3,000 scholars participated in a two-day national executive meeting of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind in Nuh, Haryana, on October 30 and 31. The gathering focused on pressing national issues, including constitutional rights, religious freedom, and various concerns affecting minorities.

During the meeting, President Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani directly criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the issue of illegal immigration. He questioned why Muslims are being politically targeted instead of holding the responsible ministry accountable for preventing illegal entry.

The executive committee passed a resolution rejecting the misleading narrative surrounding population changes in India, particularly the allegations of “demographic jihad.” The resolution dismissed claims that Muslims are attempting to alter the country’s demographic balance through population growth or illegal immigration.

Citing census data and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the resolution highlighted that the Muslim population growth rate declined from 32.9% between 1981 and 1991 to 24.7% between 2001 and 2011. It emphasized that demographic changes should be analyzed in the context of social, educational, and economic conditions rather than being linked to illegal immigration and communal security concerns.

The committee also raised serious questions about the composition and assumptions behind the high-level demographic committee formed by the Home Ministry on May 26, 2026. The resolution pointed out that no demographic experts were included in the committee, which was established based on the presumption that illegal immigration is the primary cause of demographic changes.

Labeling this perspective as biased and unscientific, the committee urged the government to form an independent and impartial commission that includes internationally recognized experts. This commission should conduct a scientific study of all aspects of demographic changes, including migration, education, employment, and socio-economic conditions.

Additionally, the executive committee passed a resolution opposing the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in states like Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Assam. Jamiat deemed this a serious challenge to Muslims’ religious freedom, autonomy in family matters, and fundamental rights granted by the Constitution.

The resolution stated that Islamic principles regarding inheritance, marriage, and divorce are clearly defined in the Holy Quran and Hadith. These divine instructions are a religious obligation for every Muslim. Jamiat argued that interference in these religious principles through the UCC directly infringes on Sharia matters, which Muslims cannot accept.

The committee accused the UCC provisions of being discriminatory, noting that Scheduled Tribes in Uttarakhand and Gujarat are exempted from the law in the name of preserving their customs and traditions, while Muslims are compelled to comply. This dual approach raises serious constitutional questions and threatens to alienate minorities from their religious and cultural identities.

In light of these concerns, the committee made several key decisions. It called for collaboration with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other minority organizations, including Sikhs, Christians, Dalits, and tribal groups, to raise a collective national and democratic voice for constitutional protection.

The committee also decided to advance legal actions challenging the UCC laws in Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Assam in higher courts and the Supreme Court, demanding their annulment. Detailed memorandums will be submitted to the President, Prime Minister, Union Law Minister, and governors and chief ministers of the respective states. These will address inequalities arising from exemptions granted to tribal communities, questions related to Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Constitution, and the religious basis of Muslim Personal Law, supported by documented evidence.

Furthermore, the committee appealed to Muslims nationwide to remain committed to Islamic Sharia, emphasizing the need for justice for women within families. The resolution stated that matters related to divorce, maintenance, and Mahr should be handled strictly according to Sharia principles to ensure justice and balance within Muslim families, preventing any moral or legal grounds for interference in Muslim Personal Law.

Maulana Madani also challenged the political narrative suggesting that the majority community is under threat. He remarked, “Before independence, when the country was under colonial rule, no one claimed that the majority community was in danger. However, after adopting independence and a secular Constitution, suddenly this campaign began. The truth is that it is not the majority community that is threatened, but the hunger for power and political positions.”