VHP, Bajrang Dal Stage Fierce Protest in Bareilly; Effigy of Maulana Madani Torched
Firoz Khan / UP Head
Bureau Report / Rajesh Singh
Activists accuse Madani of “anti-national, inflammatory remarks” on Vande Mataram, Sanatan Dharma and the judiciary
Bareilly — Tension flared in Bareilly on Thursday as activists of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal hit the streets, launching a fierce protest against Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani. Demonstrators torched Madani’s effigy at Kalibadi Chauraha near Bareilly College, accusing him of delivering “highly objectionable and provocative” remarks during a public address in Bhopal.
According to the protestors, Madani’s statements on Vande Mataram, Sanatan Dharma and the judiciary were “deliberate attempts to disturb communal harmony.” They highlighted his controversial lines — “jab tak zulm hoga tab tak jihad hoga,” “hum seene par goli khayenge,” and “hum aakhiri dam tak ladenge” — calling them inflammatory, society-dividing and capable of creating nationwide tension.
VHP and Bajrang Dal activists further alleged that Madani portrayed the court proceedings on the Krishna Janmabhoomi and Gyanvapi disputes as “one-sided and anti-Muslim,” which they said amounted to casting doubts on the integrity of constitutional institutions. Accusations against the judiciary, including claims of functioning under government pressure, were described as “extremely dangerous.”
The groups also charged that Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has been extending legal support to individuals “involved in activities threatening national security,” which they termed deeply concerning.
Amid heavy sloganeering, activists demanded Madani’s arrest while burning his effigy in open protest. Those present included Department Organization Minister Devendra Som, Department Co-Convener Aryan Chaudhary, Metropolitan Convener Kevala Nand Gaur, Vaibhav Agarwal, Rohit Bhasin, Virendra Yadav, Bhagwan Swaroop, Vijendra Singh, Rajkumar Rajput and Himanshu Khulbe, among others.
