Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, president of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Saturday weighed in on the controversy surrounding the portrait of Muhammed Ali Jinnah at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), calling it a needless one with ulterior motives.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Umari said the walls of the university students’ union had portraits of leaders ranging from Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, C.V. Raman, and Rajendra Prasad who had contributed to the nation’s development.
“Among these was the portrait of Jinnah who had been given life membership by the union in 1938 for playing a significant role in the nation’s Independence movement. The ongoing controversy has been raked up after 80 years for illogical reasons. Those who were part of the ruling coalition at the Centre also regarded Jinnah as one who had fought for the country’s freedom,” he said.
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Lashing out at the BJP for allegedly attempting to create a homogenised Indian society, the organisation called for all secular forces, irrespective of their ideologies, to come together. “Upholding the secular ideals of the country and the unity that once existed should become our mission. While there have been voices of dissent against attempts to curtail one’s freedom, such groups should join hands to form a broad platform. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind pledges its wholehearted support towards such a coalition,” Mr. Umari said.