Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s recent comments branding Islamic scholar Zakir Naik as an “anti-India character” have sparked outrage within the Muslim community, reported the Times Now. Naik, a respected figure in Islamic education and advocacy, has consistently stood up for Muslim rights, and his concerns about the Waqf Amendment Bill are shared by many in the community. His detractors, however, seem more focused on vilifying him than engaging with the issues at hand.
Zakir Naik had expressed apprehensions regarding the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, warning that its passage could lead to the confiscation of mosques, madrasas, graveyards, and vast tracts of land that belong to the Muslim community. “If the Waqf Amendment Bill is passed by Parliament, thousands of religious and educational properties could be taken away from Muslims,” Naik cautioned in a recent video.
Instead of addressing these legitimate concerns, Kiren Rijiju attacked Naik, calling him an “anti-India character.” Many see this as part of an ongoing pattern of political leaders targeting prominent Islamic figures and misrepresenting their advocacy for Muslim rights as anti-national activities. Such remarks are perceived as discriminatory and an attempt to suppress voices within the Muslim community.
Defenders of Zakir Naik emphasize that he has always spoken in defense of Muslim interests, particularly regarding the preservation of Waqf properties, which are vital to the religious, educational, and social infrastructure of Indian Muslims. They argue that Naik’s words reflect a deep concern for the well-being of his community and that Rijiju’s remarks are an unjust smear against a respected figure.
Prominent Muslim organizations have condemned Rijiju’s comments, noting that such baseless allegations only fuel division and perpetuate the marginalization of Muslims. “Zakir Naik is an esteemed scholar, and his views represent the genuine fears of millions of Muslims across the country. It is deeply troubling that a person of his stature is being targeted like this,” said a spokesperson from a leading Islamic organization.
Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of justice, and many in the Muslim community see Rijiju’s remarks as an affront to these values. Muslim leaders have called for constructive dialogue instead of divisive rhetoric, urging the government to address the real concerns regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill and its potential impact on Muslim religious properties.
As tensions rise over the Waqf Bill, it is critical to engage in respectful debate, rather than resort to inflammatory accusations. Zakir Naik and other Islamic scholars who speak on behalf of their communities deserve to be heard, not insulted, in the interest of justice and unity.
