By M. Burhanuddin QasmiAt a time when hearing on Babri Case in the Apex Court is going on. When from 9th February onward All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is scheduled to sit for its national level General Body meet in Hyderabad where Babri Case and Triple Talaq bill are among the top agenda. Maulana Salman Nadvi’s outing with Shri Shri Ravi Shankar with a bunch of mullah looking people on 8th February itself peaks bundles. Mr. Shiri Shiri is succeded with a big catch – a Maulana with a shining face, flowing white beard and better oratory skill, not quite unknown, is in his side. Mr Shankar should have a smile on his face.
However, we have a few questions in our minds. Both Mr. Shri Shri and Maul. Nadvi should be put on test with these questions amidst this extra media hype and out of the Court gimmick.
*Who are these brokers?*
Are these people working as per the supreme court suggestion earlier in this case to try and find an out of the Court settlement? The answer is a clear No. The time for that settlement has overlapped, the parties in the case want a Supreme Court verdict and now the SC has already begun final hearing in the Case. The case is of a title dispute and both parties must accept it, if they have faith in Indian constitution and its judiciary.
The next question will be, is Mr double Shri get an endorsement from the present Government and is he officially appointed by the majority of Hindu mats (schools) to break a deal with Muslims in this case? What we know is a big NO. Is Mr. Ravi Shankar a party in the Babri Masjid Ram Temple Case? The answer is again NO. Then on what ground and why is this gentleman mudding the water and what will be the outcome? Will he be in a position to execute if a fair deal is reached by both parties?
I would prefer the learned readers to find answers from within their hearts and minds.
The same set of questions also goes to other party. Is Maulana Salman Nadvi endorsed or appointed by majority of Muslim Indians either by election or selection to break a deal with Hindus in the Babri Case? No, not at all. Is he a party in the case or did he anyway contribute to the case earlier? The answer is always a big big NO. Is he a leader of any major organisation or a school? NO. Can he implement if he signs a deal with opposition party. NO. Then why is he outing with Mr. Ravi Shankar about the Babri Case and what will be the outcome?
An answer can be, there will be no outcome, no impact at all in the Case by this media hype and adventurinsm of these unwanted guys who have very limited legitimacy within their own fellow Hindus and Muslims, but their own benefits. They will be popular and will enjoy prime time for a longer time in and out of India.
*Who is Salman Nadvi?*
Maulana Salman Nadvi is a professor of Hadith in the famous Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow and an executive member of AIMPLB. Politically he has been a right winger, an extreme and aggressive orator. Religiously he has been arrogant, outspoken and sometimes, unwise by going against majority views of Muslim scholars. He eats his words back whenever in trouble.
Maulana Salman Nadvi has been an issue for Muslim Indians for last two decades. He has personal differences against his counter part scholars like Maulana Kaleem Siddique of Phulat, against whom he wrote a book, and Maulana Sajjad Nomani, present spokesman of AIMPLB.
He was the only person from India who wrote a letter to ISIS chief, the terrorist Baghdadi, addressing him as ‘Amirul Mo’ minin’ (leader of Muslims) and offered his support, however later he withdrew and eat back his statement. He was the only leader from India who promised thousands of volunteers as fighters from India to the Saudi King Salman in case Saudi attack Syria in the early days of ongoing battles in Syria. Later, however, he took a 180 degree turn and now among the enemies of Saudi Arabia. This Maulana was among a few who openly supported and attended Dr. Zakir Naik’s mega program and even went against a strong appeal from Mumbai scholars to not share the stage with Dr. Naik because of his extreme preaching style. This is the same Maulana who took a different stand against all major Sunni schools of Islam in the recent Triple Talaq issue.
The list is long rather very long where Maulana Salman Nadvi went against unanimous views and decisions of majority scholars. Be it his agressiveness against Ahle Hadith school of Muslims or Shai groups, be it his extraordinary views about compilation of the glorious Qur’an or madrasa education in India, he has been mostly alone in his exciting Urdu rhetorics with a bunch of hot blooded young followers. He too have high political ambition, tried his hand in last two UP elections with no or very low success rate.
For those who know Maulana Salman Nadvi it is not much surprising that he has been active with a new agenda, with a new avtar in the Babri Case and walking in the shoes of Shri Shri Ravi Shankar. This will give him a majore boost which he needs urgently. He has been sidelined by majority Muslims for his extreme views and out of track races, he lost friends among Muslims and NIA under present Government might have been profiling him for his past. His previous speeches and political activism might have been under review by the security agencies and he might be under some “special” media scanners.
This camera, light and action is surely going to help him immensely. He will no longer remain an extreme opinion maker and will be a look for guy by media and right wingers from other side. The Babri Case is apart, Maulana Salman Nadvi is dancing balle balle following the scenes scripted are played on televisions screens and print media.
He is capable of making a rift within AIMPLB which may take time to repair. The Maulana has done his part and partly earned his shared of fame and level changing make over. The looser are those who are watching this game.
It is time that All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow should take a serious call. Maulana Syed Rabe Hasan Nadvi is the chief of both the organisations. He may call Maulana Salman in or should put him out to clear names of the organisations he has been successfully heading for Indian Muslims. An individual must not be above organisation.
