Chicago – August 06, 2026
Former Rajya Sabha member Mohammad Adeeb has described a recent gathering of religious, political and civil-society figures as an unprecedented national consultation on the future of India’s Muslim community.
Adeeb said representatives from different states had come together because the country’s situation had become “critical.” He alleged that educational institutions, including Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, were losing their autonomy, claiming that individuals linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were influencing appointments and campus policies. He warned that the slogans of “Jai Shree Ram” are being raised in AMU and undermining universities would damage an entire generation.
Nadeem Khan, national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, said the gathering included former bureaucrats, military personnel, intellectuals and religious scholars. He said the community was united in urging government officials not to undermine the “Idea of India”—a reference to the country’s constitutional commitment to secularism, pluralism and democracy. Khan added that a letter would be sent to the President and the Chief Justice of India, whom he described as constitutional custodians.
Sufi scholar Syed Sarwar Chisti expressed confidence in young Muslims, particularly women, saying they had shown courage during difficult circumstances.
Former Union minister Salman Khurshid cited concerns over attacks on minorities, mosque demolitions, evictions and citizenship-related proceedings. He referred to cases in Assam and Bengal, where millions reportedly face verification or adjudication despite possessing official documents.
