New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has announced a nationwide movement to address what it described as the growing marginalisation of Muslims and the demolition of mosques and madrasas across India.
The decision emerged from a meeting of the Board’s Executive Committee chaired by AIMPLB President Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani on June 22. Following the meeting, the Board said it would intensify efforts to highlight concerns related to attacks on Muslim life, property, honour and dignity, as well as the impact of such developments on communal harmony.
To coordinate the campaign, the AIMPLB formed an Action Committee. The committee will engage with democracy-loving and peace-loving sections of society to raise awareness about issues affecting the Muslim community.
The Board also reiterated its opposition to the Uniform Civil Code, stating that any forced implementation would violate the religious freedom guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. It expressed concern over reported moves to introduce similar laws in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra after developments in Uttarakhand and Gujarat.
According to the Board, legal challenges against the Uttarakhand law will continue, and similar measures in other states will face legal scrutiny.
The AIMPLB further objected to efforts aimed at making Vande Mataram compulsory. It argued that such a requirement conflicts with constitutional protections related to religious freedom. The Board stated that it would challenge any national legislation mandating the singing of the song by citizens or students.
Welcoming an interim Calcutta High Court order that stayed a directive requiring Vande Mataram in schools and madrasas in West Bengal, the Board reaffirmed its long-held position that portions of the song conflict with the Islamic principle of Tawhid.
The Executive Committee also decided to prepare a detailed report documenting concerns about communal tensions, the condition of Muslims, and alleged violations of fundamental rights. The report aims to draw wider public attention to these issues.
