Who is Maulana Mahmood Madani? Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind chief slammed for controversial remarks

Mahmood Madani, chief of the influential Islamic organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, has come to the fore again with his controversial statements that triggered a political storm. At a recent event, Madani questioned the treatment of Muslims in India and said there would be “jihad” whenever there is oppression. He also accused the government and the judiciary of undermining the rights of minority communities and demanded strong responses from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who said the League chief was provoking Muslims. So who is Mahmood Madani? Let’s tell more about him here.

Maulana Mahmood Madani is the current national president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH), one of India’s oldest and largest Islamic organizations. Born in 1964, Medeni comes from a family of prominent clergy. His grandfather, Maulana Syed Hussain Ahmed Madani, was a well-known theologian. Mahmood’s father, Maulana As’ad Madani, was a member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) for nearly 17 years and was one of the key leaders of JUH. Mahmood Madani studied Islamic theology at Darul Uloom Deoband and completed his education in 1992. He held many important positions in the Society and also served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2006 to 2012. It has been part of interfaith dialogues, counter-terrorism campaigns, as well as relief efforts during riots and disasters.

Madani’s controversial comments

At the League meeting held in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal on Saturday, Madani said: “One community has always been targeted. Injustice will lead to jihad. If there is oppression, then there will be jihad.” Referring to a number of legal cases, including the Babri Masjid one, he said that courts were failing Muslims and working “under government pressure.” He has also claimed that Muslims were discriminated against in the past and made controversial statements.