New Delhi: Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), called for the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and condemned the increasing violence against Muslims during a monthly press briefing at JIH headquarters on Thursday. Husaini emphasized that the recent peaceful elections in the region indicate stability, making it crucial to restore its statehood.
“The way elections were conducted shows that the situation is peaceful, and there’s no justification to keep Jammu and Kashmir under central control. This goes against the federal and democratic spirit of the Constitution,” Husaini remarked.
Commenting on the verdict in Haryana, he said, “Both the ruling party and the opposition must take responsibility. Although the BJP won, the voting pattern reflects the people’s desire for governance, employment, and inclusive development, rejecting hate politics. The new government should align its policies with this message, and the opposition must introspect and unite.”
Husaini also raised concerns about the surge in hate speech, derogatory remarks against religious figures, and attacks on mosques and dargahs in various parts of India, particularly in Tripura and Gujarat. “These incidents represent a dangerous trend, and the silence of the authorities is deeply concerning. The illegal demolitions of religious sites, even in defiance of Supreme Court orders, show a blatant disregard for the law,” he added.
Husaini condemned blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Ghaziabad and Maharashtra, calling it a reflection of the country’s declining moral condition. “India has a rich tradition of respecting religious leaders, and it is alarming to see this respect being eroded.”
The JIH president also criticized the proposed “One Nation, One Election” policy, warning that it undermines the federal structure of the Constitution. “Simultaneous elections would harm federalism, accountability, and voter behavior, requiring significant constitutional amendments,” he said.
Turning to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Husaini expressed grave concern over the potential for war between Israel and Iran. “A war in the region would be disastrous for global peace. The UN and the international community must intervene to stop Israel’s aggression and impose sanctions,” he urged, calling for the UN Security Council to enforce a ceasefire and hold Israel accountable for its actions.
JIH Vice President Salim Engineer and National Secretary Shafi Madani also addressed the press, sharing findings from a recent visit to Somnath, where they investigated the illegal demolitions of religious sites. Engineer detailed the unlawful destruction of several shrines, a mosque, an Eidgah, and a cemetery, calling for the restoration of the sites and accountability for those responsible.
