Deoband's cocktail with Hindutva

Muslims dig heels: Deoband V-C must go
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Express News Service
Backlash : Say Maulana Vastanavi has dealt a blow to fight for justice for riots victims
Strongly condemning the statements of the newly elected Mohtamim (vice-chancellor) of the Darul Uloom at Deoband, Maulana Ghulam Muhammed Vastanavi, Muslim groups in Gujarat called for his resignation saying he had caused great damage to the fight for justice for victims of the 2002 riots.

In a recent interview to a daily, Vastanavi had praised Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying Muslims are prospering in Gujarat.

Mufti Ahmed Devalvi, president of the Committee for Protection of Madrasas in Gujarat, said Maulana Vastanavi did not appear to be acquainted with the ground realities in Gujarat as he spent most of his time in Maharashtra where he ran a number of educational institutions.

Devalvi wanted Vastanavi to visit Muslim localities in Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat to know if these were part of Vibrant Gujarat. “I am sure he will change his mind after seeing the appalling conditions of Muslim localities with poor civic amenities,” said Devalvi.


“It is better if Maulana Vastanavi resigns,” says human rights activist and president of the state unit of Peoples’ Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) J S Bandukwala. Regarding the Maulana’s comments that Muslims were not facing discrimination under Modi’s rule, he said that barring one, all of the 217 persons booked under POTA post-Godhra were Muslims and all the Godhra accused were in jail for the nine years while Babu Bajrangi, having confessed to his role in Naroda Patiya massacre on Tehelka tapes, was roaming around freely. “If this is not discrimination, what else is this?,” asked Bandukwala.

Vadodara-based Yusuf Sheikh, director of Aantakri Visthapit Hak Rakshak Samiti (AVHRS) involved in rehabilitation of riot victims, too demanded the Maulana’s resignation, saying he did not deserve to head an institution like Daul Uloom at Deoband. Sheikh said the entire rehabilitation work was undertaken by NGOs and not the state government, as claimed by the Maulana.

Dr Hanif Lakdwawala, who runs an NGO, Sanchetna, said it was better for the religious leadership to keep away from politics. “They should not dabble into an area with which they are not acquainted,” he said.