The United Muslim Forum (UMF), comprising religious leaders from Hyderabad, has denounced the recent wave of reported violence against Muslims across India, Radiancenews reported onJuly 22. This condemnation comes amidst Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in office.
The UMF, including prominent clerics like Mufti Sadiq Mohiuddin, All India Muslim Personal Law Board president Maulana Khalid SaifuallahRahmani, and Muneeruddin Mukhtar, expressed disappointment in a statement: “After the recent parliamentary elections, we had hoped for improved treatment of Muslims. However, with the support of some secular parties, the BJP has not only continued the past decade’s cycle of violence but has intensified it within the first month of their new term,” reported The Hindu.
The religious leadersspecifically criticized the directives of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, which require displaying owners’ names outside eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route. The UMF argued that this has adversely affected numerous Muslim traders and workers, causing significant job losses.
“While roads are blocked for the yatra, and flower petals are showered from helicopters, action is taken against Muslims for having a few extra rows of worshippers during Friday and Eid prayers,” the UMF stated.
Additionally, the UMF condemned remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma concerning the Muslim population in Assam, highlighting the ongoing discrimination faced by the community.