In a bold move highlighting concerns over religious autonomy, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has penned a strongly worded letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The letter addresses the controversial appointment of Manoj Jadhav as the Executive Officer of the Maharashtra State Haj Committee, which Azmi deems blatantly illegal.
Azmi shared the letter on social media platform X, urging immediate intervention. He emphasized that the Haj Committee operates under a Muslim-centric legal framework designed to ensure administration aligns with Islamic laws, religious customs, and the specific needs of Haj pilgrims. Appointing a non-Muslim to this key role, he argued, violates the spirit and letter of the governing act.
The committee’s leadership and administrative control are intended for elected Muslim representatives familiar with Islamic religious duties and community requirements. Azmi pointed out that Jadhav’s selection contravenes these provisions, raising serious constitutional red flags. It allegedly infringes on Articles 14, 15(1), 25(1), and 26(a)-(b) of the Indian Constitution, which safeguard equality, religious freedom, and the right of religious groups to manage their own affairs.
Drawing on legal precedents, Azmi stressed that religious and minority institutions must function without undue government interference, adhering strictly to their statutory protections. He demanded the immediate cancellation of Jadhav’s appointment and the selection of a qualified Muslim representative from the committee’s elected members.
‘Maharashtra State Haj Committee was established to guarantee that its policies, administration, and operations cater to the unique demands of Haj travel,’ Azmi wrote. This development comes amid ongoing debates about minority rights and governmental overreach in religious matters.
Azmi expressed confidence in Fadnavis’s leadership to uphold the rule of law, constitutional values, and minority rights. As political tensions simmer in Maharashtra, this letter underscores the delicate balance between state authority and religious self-governance, potentially setting the stage for broader discussions on similar appointments across India.
