Ayodhya, The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, one of India’s oldest Muslim organizations, has expressed strong disapproval of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated participation in the Ram Temple inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya. The group has also raised concerns about the harassment of Muslims amid growing tensions related to the event.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Jamiat’s central working committee, during a recent meeting, characterized the government’s active involvement in the Ram Temple ceremony as an attempt to influence upcoming elections. The organization also voiced alarm over increasing efforts to harass and intimidate the minority Muslim community as the event nears.

Niaz Ahmed Farooqui, the secretary of the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, emphasized the escalating animosity within the country and its potential impact on national harmony. “The escalating atmosphere of animosity within the country is detrimental to its overall well-being,” Farooqui stated. He urged the government and law enforcement agencies to be attentive to these concerns, appealing to the broader citizenry to strive for peace and order in these challenging times.

The Jamiat also criticized the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Babri Masjid, arguing that it did not align with the principles of justice and appeared to be more rooted in faith and technicalities. Farooqui highlighted concerns about the erosion of confidence in the judiciary, particularly in light of petitions being entertained about other mosques, despite the Supreme Court’s assurances in its Ayodhya judgment regarding the enforcement of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, delivering the key presidential address at the meeting, underscored the Jamiat’s commitment to protecting mosques and the need for a strategic action plan in response to ongoing controversies surrounding places of worship. He recalled the organization’s historical reliance on the judiciary for addressing grievances, including debates over the ownership of religious sites.

These statements from the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind reflect deep-seated concerns among India’s Muslim community about the political and social implications of the Ram Temple inauguration and the broader context of religious freedom in the country.