51-Member Committee Formed to Address Key Muslim Community Issues; Leaders Call for Unity

Following a landmark representative meeting of Millat-e-Islami-e-Hind, prominent leaders including Mehbooba Mufti, Salman Khurshid, and Muhammad Adib vowed to reconvene in three months to outline future strategy.

NEW DELHI: A representative meeting addressing the key challenges facing the Millat-e-Islami-e-Hind concluded with an announcement to form a 51-member committee tasked with formulating a concrete plan of action. Leaders present at a subsequent press conference at the India Islamic Cultural Centre announced that the group will meet again in three months to review progress and outline further steps.

The initial representative meeting, convened at the Constitution Club of India through the efforts of former MP and Indian Minorities Rights Council (IMCR) Chairman Muhammad Adib, brought together key political, community, and religious figures.

Speakers included former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti; former Union Minister Salman Khurshid; Adviser to the Telangana Chief Minister Muhammad Ali Shabbir; Vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Malik Mutasim Khan; General Secretary of Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Kalbe Jawad; Ajmer Dargah khadim Sarwar Chishti; former Union Minister Ali Ashraf Fatemi; APCR Convener Nadeem Khan; and IMCR General Secretary Muhammad Azam Baig.

Key Statements from the Press Conference

Mehbooba Mufti criticized the silence surrounding past events in Jammu and Kashmir, warning that similar tactics are now being deployed across the rest of the country. “What began with the constitutional changes in J&K in 2019 is now happening nationwide—political parties are being fractured,” she said, adding that the issue extends beyond Muslims and ultimately threatens democratic rights for all citizens.
Ali Ashraf Fatemi raised concerns regarding educational institutions, accusing the government of systematically reducing budgets and targeting minority institutions such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Jauhar University, alongside madrasas.
Malik Mutasim Khan called the meeting a major success and emphasized the need for a united front against injustice and oppression.
Sarwar Chishti condemned recent claims targeting Ajmer Sharif Dargah, noting that the shrine has long stood as a symbol of secularism and democracy. He stressed that fear of labels like “anti-national” or “terrorist” would not silence the community’s demand for justice.
Maulana Kalbe Jawad asserted that minority issues must be tackled by engaging secular Hindu allies, arguing that communal injustice cannot be combated in isolation.
Muhammad Ali Shabbir drew parallels between historic liberation struggles and the current moment, urging citizens to unite to protect the Constitution.
Salman Khurshid emphasized that the initiative remains firmly committed to democratic dialogue, noting that citizens are being forced onto the streets because the government has failed to engage in meaningful communication.
Muhammad Adib highlighted the significance of bringing diverse leadership together on a single platform. He voiced grave concerns over the erosion of public institutions, political appointments, and the changing character of central universities like Jamia and AMU. “The nation must stand together to demand that the core ‘Idea of India’ is preserved,” he stated.

The press conference also featured remarks from Haji Rashid Ahmed Chaudhary (Assam), former IAS officer and minister Anis Ansari, and APCR Convener Nadeem Khan. IMCR General Secretary Muhammad Azam Baig concluded the event with a vote of thanks to the media.