Political leaders have criticized a fatwa issued by All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ) President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, advising Muslims in India against participating in New Year festivities. Leaders from various parties have emphasized the importance of social harmony, constitutional values, and individual freedom in response to the controversial statement. UP minister Danish Azad Ansari urged for a focus on unity and happiness, discouraging negative remarks about New Year celebrations.
Reacting to the cleric’s advice, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned the credibility of Maulana, highlighting the contradiction in his actions. Poonawalla criticized the Maulana for appearing on television regularly despite claiming to issue fatwas, which is considered prohibited under Shariat. He also accused the Congress party of empowering such statements that prioritize Shariat over the Constitution.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Brijlal dismissed the fatwa, asserting the supremacy of the Constitution over religious laws. Brijlal emphasized that in India, where people from diverse backgrounds celebrate New Year, the Maulana’s fatwa holds no significance. Similarly, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma stressed democratic values, stating that such fatwas are unnecessary in a democratic country like India where individuals have the freedom to celebrate joyously with their families.
The controversy stemmed from Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi’s fatwa, which deemed New Year celebrations as violating Islamic law. Razvi’s fatwa prohibited activities like singing and dancing, labeling them as haram in Islam. He urged Muslim youth to abstain from New Year celebrations, citing these activities as criminal under Shariat law. Razvi emphasized that Islamic teachings forbid behaviors like dancing, singing, alcohol consumption, and other immoral acts associated with New Year festivities.
