Muslim Personal Law Board Accuses Modi Government Of Attempting To Break Its Unity

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the top body of Indian Muslims, has accused the Narendra Modi government of making attempts to break its unity, NDTV has reported.

At the twenty-sixth plenary that ended in Hyderabad on Sunday (11 February), the AIMPLB said the government and some individuals with vested interests were trying to breaking the unity of the board.

“The Board is fully aware of the attempts of the present-day government and some individuals with their vested interests to break this unity to the detriment of the entire community. It shall be our endeavour not to allow these unscrupulous deeds of some vested interests to destroy this unity,” said the Hyderabad Declaration passed during the three-day meet.

The declaration did not name anybody in particular, but the remarks assumed significance in the wake of the board’s executive member Maulana Salman Hussaini Nadvi openly defying the board.

On the eve of the plenary, Maulana Nadvi said that the land of the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya should be handed over for the construction of the Ram temple. He went against the board’s stand that the mosque land can never be sold, gifted or exchanged.

The plenary pulled up the cleric on the first day and decided to take action against him. The next day, Maulana Nadvi said he would not remain in the board. The group has unanimously decided to accept Maulana Nadvi's “disassociation”.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi also chimed in, claiming Maulana Nadvi was acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create rift within the board.

At a public meeting organised by the board on Sunday night, the board leaders underlined the need for maintaining unity and targeted Maulana Nadvi without naming him.

It declared that it is a united platform for all the Muslims, created for the protection of Shariah laws and to bring unity among the Muslims. “Unity among the Muslims is the best shield which should be protected at all costs,” it said.

The need of the hour for the Muslims to close ranks and to have utmost confidence in the board, it said, adding that “all the unanimous decisions of the board should be graciously accepted with open heart and each one of the Muslims should be ready for greater sacrifice for our endeavour.”

It alleged that deliberate attempts were being made to sow the seeds of dissension and discord among Muslims by bringing to the fore such problems and issues which can create rift among various sections of the society and schools of thought.