Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza has once again stoked controversy by declaring his intention to lead a street battle concerning the disputed structure at Gyanvapi. Addressing the gathering at a Muslim panchayat convened by the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) at the Aiwan-e-Ghalib Hall in Delhi on Monday (18th December), Tauqeer asserted that Muslims are unwilling to concede any mosque, regardless of surveys conducted. He also criticised the Supreme Court’s decision on the Ram Mandir issue, labelling it as dishonest, as reported by OpIndia.

Expressing his determination, Tauqeer declared, “After Babri mosque, it is enough. We showed patience with Babri. We will not show any patience with Gyanvapi. Inshallah, this battle will be fought on the streets.” 

He called lawyer Mehmood Pracha to the stage, commending him as a legal fighter, and expressed his intention to take to the streets with supporters. Tauqeer continued his rhetoric, emphasising that Muslims must demonstrate their intolerance for any such actions. 

Referring to the disputed structure in Ayodhya, he stated, “Now we say that our faith is above the court because we have once seen the dishonesty of the court.”

The controversial Maulana warned that if Muslims do not act now, Gyanvapi might face a fate similar to Babri. He asserted, “After Gyanvapi, the mosques of Mathura and Badaun will be taken away from Muslims. Jama Masjid will also be attacked in the coming time. Somewhere, Muslims will have to stand up and speak their mind.” 

Tauqeer concluded that, based on his ‘experience,’ the current situation demands action rather than speeches, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of fostering division for political gain.

Statements made by Tauqeer in the past

In 2022, at a rally in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, Tauqeer Raza issued a controversial invitation to PM Modi and HM Amit Shah, urging them to convert to Islam for “world peace.” He said, “I give dawat (invitation to Islam) to all those who harbour some misconceptions about Islam that they should try to read honestly about Islam. I give dawat to Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. You are fond of leading? I invite you… there is no discrimination in our society, no distinction of high and low. When we go to pray in a mosque, we all stand next to each other. I invite you – understand Islam, turn towards Islam. Islam alone can bring about peace and harmony in the world,” 

Inflammatory remarks targeted Hindu Dharma, inviting leaders to embrace Islam for progress. Raza audaciously equated Moksha with Islamic salvation, inviting Modi to read the kalma for honour. He presented Islam as a path forward, accusing Hindus of regressing. He urged Hindus desiring Moksha to embrace the path of Islamic salvation. 

On Gyanvapi

Tauqeer Raza dismissed the Shivling in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex, subject to an ASI survey, claiming it’s a common fountain in mosques. The High Court’s decision to allow the survey led to diverse reactions, with the Hindu side welcoming and the Muslim side opposing. Tauqeer Raza intended to approach the Supreme Court, emphasising the role of artefacts in the dispute. He asserted that similar fountains exist in every large mosque with a wazu tank. Raza deemed it an attempt to capture forcibly and incite riots, hoping the Supreme Court would deliver a just verdict. The ASI initiated the scientific survey amid heightened security. 

In February 2023, Maulana Tauqeer Raza threatened Hindus over the deaths of cow smugglers in Bhiwani, asserting the country would run by law or by the stick. He justified the Gyanvapi mosque’s disputed structure, claiming temples were converted into mosques voluntarily, and threatened opposition, stating Muslims would oppose the government if mosques were touched. He said, “There are many mosques in the country where there were temples before. Those Temples were not razed, just converted (into mosques) when people adopted Islam.” In a threatening tone, he said, “Mosques shouldn’t be touched, and if anything is done forcefully, Muslims will oppose the government.” He also insinuated, saying, “..the day my youths become angry, the day I lose control over them, the day these youths take law in their hands, you will have no place to hide.”

Tauqeer Raza criticised the identification of what was found in the Gyanvapi mosque as a Shivling, claiming it mocks Hinduism. He argued that Muslims, having witnessed the Babri Mosque case judgment, wouldn’t resort to legal fights this time. Raza asserted that hatemongers might find Shivlings in every mosque, threatening encroachment. He challenged those opposing and questioned where they would draw the line.

Equates Hindu Rashtra demand to that of Khalistani demand

In March 2023, he stated that if the concept of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is acceptable, the demand for Khalistan or a separate Muslim state should be acknowledged too. He said, “What if our Muslim youth start to demand a separate Muslim state tomorrow,”. 

He equated those asking for a Hindu Rashtra to those demanding a Khalistani state. “The government should take action by filing sedition cases against those who demand Khalistan. In a similar vein, action should be initiated against those who call for a ‘Hindu Rashtra.’ Otherwise, it will be assumed that calling for Khalistan is similarly legitimate when no action is being done on the demand for the former.”

Jail bharo Andolan

On the bulldozer actions by state governments and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, he blamed Narendra Modi for unrest; Raza threatened a nationwide “Jail Bharo Andolan” after Eid, expressing concern over biased actions and a lack of unity. He called for government correction in ten days, warning of uncontrollable Muslim outrage if unheeded. Raza criticised on-the-spot judgments, stating that bulldozing accused persons’ homes is unjust. He said, “We will start a countrywide ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ if Allah wills. And all people who love the country will participate in that including Hindus and Muslims. People from all the districts of all the states who believe in the integrity of the country and mutual brotherhood, especially the Muslims, will participate in this movement.” He added, “We need to take this step because you don’t want to live with us, and we cannot leave the country. Pakistan will not accept us. Bangladesh will not accept us. China will not accept us. Where shall we go? The government will not listen to us. We don’t have any hope of justice from the judiciary.”

Maulana Tauqir Raza criticised the judiciary, claiming overlooked verdicts and on-the-spot judgments, especially condemning bulldozing accused persons’ homes. He warned of nationwide unrest through “Jail Bharo Andolan” if perceived injustice persists. Raza called on Modi to address the issue immediately, cautioning that unchecked Muslim outrage would be uncontrollable. He had said, “The day Muslims come to the streets, one must understand that they will be uncontrollable. Therefore, I warn the government and Narendra Modi in particular that if he fails to correct this way of taking action with immediate effect…”

Asked Batlahouse terrorists to be designated as “martyrs”

In 2022, he called for martyr status for terrorists killed in the Batla House encounter. He claimed that a thorough inquiry would have revealed that those individuals were not terrorists, asserting they should be recognised as martyrs. He said, “Had there been a probe, the entire world would have known that those killed as terrorists should be given the martyr status.” 

Such hate mongers are enjoying freedom in a Hindu-majority country while honest, Dharmic people like Nupur Sharma are facing threats day in and day out.