Mumbai, February 5: In a sharp critique of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directive to investigate madrasas across the state, Maharashtra Congress leader Hussain Dalwai has accused the move of being a deliberate scheme to target the Muslim community. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Dalwai argued that while foreign funding to madrasas warrants scrutiny, the probe should first target the funding sources of RSS shakhas and major temples, which receive substantial overseas contributions.
Dalwai highlighted the noble role madrasas play in educating children from impoverished Muslim families. ‘These institutions embody the community’s tradition of supporting the underprivileged,’ he said, citing examples like villagers pooling resources during Eid to ensure poor children celebrate festivals. ‘This is a positive contribution to society, yet it’s being demonized.’
He questioned the selective focus on madrasas, pointing out that large temples and RSS outfits operate on massive foreign funds without similar probes. ‘Why single out madrasas? This is a calculated effort to harass Muslims and polarize Hindus for votes,’ Dalwai charged, linking it to a broader pattern of anti-Muslim politics seen in Assam’s targeting of Christians.
Dalwai also slammed UP’s development failures, noting that lack of opportunities forces poor laborers to migrate to states like Maharashtra for grueling 12-hour shifts at meager wages. On love jihad and conversions, he asserted personal choice in marriage and faith, decrying forced conversions but dismissing politicized narratives around ‘true love’.
Turning to national politics, Dalwai defended Rahul Gandhi against accusations of being a ‘national enemy’ from Union Minister Ravneet Bittu, countering that BJP’s farmer-unfriendly policies and US trade deals betray the nation. He questioned PM Modi’s deference to Trump on taxes and tariffs, warning of harm to Indian farmers and products.
In Dalwai’s view, these maneuvers—from madrasa probes to religious rhetoric—are pure vote-bank tactics ahead of elections, designed to stoke division rather than foster unity or progress.