New Delhi

Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an affiliate of the RSS, has accused the Jamait Ulama-e Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani of triggering a controversy by terming the singing of the national song Vande Mataram anti-Islamic, and claimed that the Muslims have rejected his idea.

MRM’s handout to the media said, “Leading Muslim intellectuals, social organisations, and several religious figures have unanimously stated that such remarks do no good to Muslims; they damage the community’s image and misguide the younger generation. They emphasise that Indian Muslims no longer want politics of fear—they want education, employment, security, and equal opportunities.”

Shahid Sayeed, National Spokesperson of the MRM, said that Maulana Madani’s statement pushes Muslims away from the mainstream. Indian Muslims are considered among the most secure and respected Muslim communities. Muslim youth are excelling in the nation’s armed forces, bureaucracy, judiciary, sports, science, and arts.

“In such a scenario, repeatedly spreading narratives of fear and isolation only fuels hatred.”

 Shahid Sayeed said that questioning Vande Mataram is equivalent to rejecting India’s freedom struggle and disrespecting Bharat Mata.” There is no shirk in it—only respect for the motherland, the same way Prophet Muhammad honoured the land of Madina.”

Dr Shalini Ali, National Coordinator of MRM, said that the Indian Muslims need education, healthcare, skill development, and employment and not controversies that push them into conflict with the rest of society.

“Those who create distance between Hindus and Muslims are the biggest enemies of both communities. Indian Muslims have a long tradition of peace, hard work, and standing with the nation—no extremist statement can break that tradition.”

Dr Shahid Akhtar, Acting Chairman of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), said that Islam and patriotism are not opposites; they complement each other. “Islam teaches justice, peace, and brotherhood. He stated that the controversy around Vande Mataram is simply an attempt to mislead Muslims. The real challenges are terrorism, radicalisation, poverty, and backwardness—not the national song.”

Prominent scholar Maulana Qari Abrar Jamal Qasmi of Jamiat Himayat-ul-Islam said that if Maulana Madani is truly concerned about Muslims, he should speak openly against terrorism. “Terrorism brings the greatest disrepute to Islam. “Silence on terrorism and making a noise on Vande Mataram—why this double standard?”

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Qari Jamal said that hurting the sentiments of crores of Hindu brothers cannot improve anyone’s image; it only widens the distance from the people.