New Delhi, July 11: Maulana Sajid Rashidi, President of the All India Imam Association, has voiced his opinions on several pressing issues, including the decision to grant funds to madrasas in Uttarakhand, the controversy surrounding donations for the Ram Mandir, the Assam government’s stance on polygamy, and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines regarding Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana. During his address, he raised questions about government policies and elaborated on various matters.
Regarding the decision to provide grants to madrasas in Uttarakhand, Maulana Rashidi stated that there are two categories of madrasas operating in the country. One category consists of madrasas affiliated with the government, receiving financial support for infrastructure, teacher salaries, and other facilities. The other category relies solely on community donations and does not receive any government funding. He believes that madrasas receiving government grants should be closed to eliminate the misconception that all madrasas depend on government aid. Those madrasas operating solely with community support should have no financial ties to the government, which should only be involved in the registration process.
On the alleged controversy surrounding donations for the Ram Mandir, Maulana Rashidi emphasized that if the accusations of irregularities in donations are true, it is not merely an economic issue but one that touches the faith of devotees. He asserted that those who donated money, jewelry, and other items out of devotion have been betrayed. A fair investigation should be conducted, and strict action should be taken against the guilty parties. He questioned why resignations from certain officials, who accepted moral responsibility, have not been made public. Rashidi accused the government of diverting attention from this issue by prioritizing other political and social matters. The full truth of this situation should be revealed to the public.
Responding to the Assam government’s decision to exclude polygamists from government schemes, Maulana Rashidi remarked that in the current economic climate, sustaining a family is already challenging, making it inappropriate to escalate polygamy into a major social issue. He argued that such statements and decisions aim to tarnish the image of Muslims and Islam. He also expressed disagreement with some past statements made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Concerning the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana, Maulana Rashidi stated that the government should present its work to the public. The country is grappling with challenges such as inflation, unemployment, and education, and the government should focus more on these issues. Vande Mataram is a national song, while Jana Gana Mana is the national anthem; any changes to these should occur through parliamentary processes. It is essential to adhere to constitutional procedures in such matters.
In response to recent comments regarding the marriage age for girls and incidents of sexual assault, Maulana Rashidi clarified that his statements were misrepresented. He mentioned that he was merely drawing attention to a social issue. He referred to a High Court remark stating that no personal law can supersede the POCSO Act. The country continues to witness incidents of sexual assault against underage girls, and serious discussions on this social problem are necessary. Islamic Sharia permits marriage after reaching maturity, and comprehensive discussions should occur among the judiciary, parliament, medical experts, and scholars of society on this topic.
He made it clear that he never claimed that delayed marriage is a cause of sexual assault. He merely emphasized the need for debate concerning social conditions and personal laws.
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