| Urdu Section | |
| 28 Jan 2011, NewAgeIslam.Com |
By Noorain Ali Haque
Darul Uloom Deoband has turned into a political battlefield once again. Even people with zero literacy are enjoying the game. Even person who have spent a couple of years in Deoband is advising Majlis-e-Shoura to review its decision. On the other hand, elder Qasmis are silent spectators. The members of the Majlis-e-Shoura too think it wise to be silent on the issue. Qasmi brethren from all over the country who are members of the Majlis-e-Shoura are not playing any role in this matter. As a result, many people who have differences with him over principles and practices are taking advantage of this situation.
On this account, Shahi Imam Ahmad Bukhari, Maulana Mufti Mukarram and Prof Akhtarul Wassay deserve praise who were not infuenced by sectarian feelings nor did they challenge the decision of the Majls-e-Shoura. They only demanded that if Maulana Wastanvi has praised the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he should apologise to the whole Muslim community and that too done in a manner that should be agreed on fully.
Today adherence to democratic principles is necessary for the Urdu media at least from outside if not from inside. Any newspaper can put his full weight in supporting any sect but having differences with anyone is not permitted by circumstances. Sectarian differences should be confined to Muslims and should not go outside. Only the examples of their unity should reach the others. But if a sectarian dispute finds a place in the headlines of a newspaper, how can it be prevented from reaching the others. I should make it clear that I am neither a Deobandi nor a Bareillvi, nonetheless I am putting forth my views.
However, the word sunni in the news published in newspapers was of secondary importance. In fact I would like to say something with reference to some Qasmis who hanker after fame and publicity. The drama started with Maulana Wastanvi’s appointment as the VC of Darul Uloom Deoband. First, the picture of the Maulana with the ‘idol’ was mailed to newspapers. Then the absence of the suffix Qasmi in his name annoyed some people. And his statement given to the Times of India added fuel to fire. His opponents got a sensitive issue which they grabbed and made the most of it. All of a sudden, the whole print media was agog with statements against him.
Whatever has happened is not new in the history of Darul Uloom and perhaps they love to publicise their internal issues. So who can stop them from doing it? Albeit, the Muslim society cannot afford to see a Muslim organisation becoming a centre of controversy and swallow the jeers from preople right from the film industry to those from the non-Muslim community. Though there are other big madrasas in the country like Nadwatul Ulema, Lucknow, Jamia Ashrafia Mubarakpur, Jamia Salfia Benaras, Jamiatul Falah Azamgarh, Jamiatul Islah Azamgarh and power shift also happens in them but the news does not create such a frenzy in the Muslim community. Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema is worthy to be emulated that all the issues are resolved peacefully and at the behest of Majlis-e-Shoura. Even the teachers and the students do not clash with the administrative issues. The decision of the Majlis-e-Shoura is final and binding whereas the less decisions of Darul Uloom Deoband become controversial and the Qasmi fraternity blows them out of proportion due to their follies. This is very unfortunate. Now the Qasmi frternity should do introspection instead of indulging in media war. The same pro-Modi person and distributor of idols was not only a respectable person among the Qasmis but was a resourceful person for the Darul Uloom apart from being a member of the Majlis-e-Shoura. At that time, they did not find any fault with them. But when he became the VC of Darul Uloom, the same people started finding faults in him. If appointment of a pro-Modi person as the VC of Darul Uloom is a crime, then those making a hue and cry over his appointment should tell according to which principle his membership of the Majlis-s-Shoura was being tolerated for all these years.
Prior to this, on what grounds have the students of hundreds of Deobandi madrasas across the country been sent to Madrasa Ishaatul Uloom Akl Kuan for Qirat competitions on the invitation of Maulana Vastanvi. Thousands of studens studying in Ashaatul Uloom are not Deobandis. And if they are, why were handed over to a distributor of idols for education and training?
Isnt it because students get to study at a madrasa where there are better arrangements for study, boarding and foods. When personal interests are at stake everything is fine but when it is an issue of your greatest institution, where is the wisdom in putting its dignity and honour at stake? Do they have to remind that sir the world is laughing at you and it is ruining the whole Sunni community.
As for the the distribution of idol, it is a preplanned conspiracry. Definitely, pictures speak a thousand words and in the picture Maulana Wastanvi is easily visible. But if there had been a Qasmi in the place and had been handed an idol to present someone in a national integration ceremony, what would he have done in that situation? Would he have stayed there or get out of the place after quarreling with people. And if he had quarreled and left the place,what would have the repercussions been? Secondly, many Hindu leaders and religious personalities do this from time to time in our programmes. They arrange iftar parties for us and use handerkerchief and skull caps. That does not mean that they become Muslims or make some secret deals with us. Maualana Wastanvi did not put on sandal tilak, why then is he being treated like an untouchable. I agree that his act is neither commendable nor worthy to be emulated, rather it is condemnable. But the question is why the Qasmi fraternity is condemning his act after he was elected as the VC. Why didn’t it do it openly before that?
The issue has been raised neither in love of Darul Uloom nor in the spirit of Muslims but the main purpose behind it is to satisfy one’s ego. A group of Qasmis have thrust the whole community into this controversy that is bound to have negative implications on Darul Uloom Deoband and the Muslims in general. These are the questions the Qasmi fraternity should think over seriously and in case they get the realisation, they should give up their dual life. You have fought so many times during the last fifty-sixty years that the members of the community have become fed up with you. That is the reason, the allegations of selling fatwas are levelled against the greatest institution of the country and the twenty crore population of Muslims of India remains silent thinking that the electronic media might be true. It happens only because you do not have a strong grip on the Muslims. Now such lecherous and hellish politics will not help any more. Work hard. And if you have a penchant for publicity, then write articles with some labour and present research works so that Darul Uloom can be proud of you. Maulana Wastanvi singing paeans to Modi is a condemnable crime which can never be appreciated and it is possible that he did it for returns. I am not presenting myself as an advocate of Wastanvi but would like to say that before dragging the community into this controversy, they should ask their elder ulema why they handed the Vice-Chanellor’s position to him. Please stop this media war as it is not an issue which requires the involvement of 20 crore Indian Muslims.
Source: Hamara Samaj, New Delhi
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