A fresh political controversy has erupted after Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani claimed he had written to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, urging her to prevent Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from “targeting Muslims.” The remark, made during a community gathering in Delhi on August 29, 2025, has triggered sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Congress party has sought to distance itself from the statement.
Madani’s comments, which included references to alleged discrimination and profiling of Muslims in Assam, were widely circulated on social media and news platforms, prompting a swift political backlash. “I wrote to Sonia Gandhi and asked her to stop Himanta Biswa Sarma from his anti-Muslim actions,” Madani reportedly said, adding that “the community cannot remain silent anymore.”
🧭 Timeline of Events and Political Reactions
| Date | Event Description | Key Response |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2025 | Madani’s remark at Delhi gathering | Viral on social media |
| Aug 30, 2025 | BJP leaders respond, call remark ‘divisive’ | Strong condemnation |
| Aug 30, 2025 | Congress issues clarification | Denies knowledge of any such letter |
| Aug 30, 2025 | Himanta Biswa Sarma responds via X (formerly Twitter) | Defends policies, calls remark ‘communal’ |
The BJP accused Madani of attempting to polarize communities and questioned the timing of the statement, coming just months ahead of key state elections.
📊 Political Response Matrix
| Party/Leader | Response Summary | Tone/Position |
|---|---|---|
| BJP (National Spokesperson) | “Madani is peddling communal narratives” | Strongly critical |
| Himanta Biswa Sarma | “I serve all citizens equally” | Defensive, assertive |
| Congress (Media Cell) | “No record of such letter to Sonia Gandhi” | Neutral, distancing |
| AIMIM (Asaduddin Owaisi) | “Madani’s concern is valid, but misplaced” | Mixed reaction |
| Civil Society Groups | “Need for dialogue, not confrontation” | Cautiously supportive |
The BJP also questioned why Madani would approach Sonia Gandhi, who holds no formal position in the Congress party, rather than engaging with elected representatives or constitutional bodies.
🔍 Background: Assam’s Political Landscape and Muslim Concerns
Assam has witnessed a series of controversial policy decisions under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, including:
- Crackdown on madrassas and religious conversions
- Eviction drives in minority-dominated areas
- NRC-related tensions and citizenship concerns
- Alleged profiling of Muslim youth under UAPA
| Policy/Action | Year | Community Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Madrassa Closures | 2022–2023 | Protests from religious bodies |
| Eviction Drives | 2023–2024 | Legal challenges, civil unrest |
| NRC Implementation | 2019–2021 | Widespread anxiety among minorities |
| UAPA Arrests | 2024 | Accusations of selective targeting |
While the Assam government maintains that these actions are aimed at law enforcement and land regularization, critics argue that they disproportionately affect Muslim communities.
🔥 Social Media Buzz and Public Sentiment
Madani’s remarks and the political fallout have sparked intense debate online. Hashtags like #MadaniControversy, #HimantaBiswaSarma, and #CommunalPolitics trended across platforms.
| Platform | Reaction Type | Trending Hashtags |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | Political debates, memes | #MadaniLetter #HimantaResponse |
| Reels, quotes from speeches | #UnityNotDivision | |
| YouTube | Panel discussions, vlogs | #IndiaPolitics2025 |
Many users expressed concern over the communal tone of the discourse, while others defended Sarma’s governance as “decisive and development-oriented.”
🧠 Expert Opinions on the Political Fallout
Political analysts and constitutional experts have weighed in on the controversy, warning against the politicization of religious grievances.
| Expert Name | Designation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Rakesh Sinha | Political Scientist | “Madani’s approach undermines institutional dialogue.” |
| Prof. Nilofer Ahmed | Sociologist | “The Muslim community feels unheard in Assam.” |
| Advocate R. Mehta | Constitutional Lawyer | “Writing to Sonia Gandhi holds no legal weight.” |
They emphasized the need for community leaders to engage with elected governments through formal channels rather than political intermediaries.
📉 Congress’s Balancing Act
The Congress party, already navigating internal leadership transitions and alliance negotiations, has sought to avoid being drawn into the controversy.
| Congress Action | Description | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Media Statement | “No record of Madani’s letter” | Avoids direct confrontation |
| Internal Communication | Advisories to spokespersons | Maintain neutrality |
| Alliance Impact | Potential strain with minority leaders | May affect I.N.D.I.A bloc cohesion |
Sources within the party suggest that while Congress values minority outreach, it is wary of being seen as endorsing communal narratives.
📌 Conclusion
The row sparked by Jamiat chief Maulana Mahmood Madani’s remark about writing to Sonia Gandhi over Himanta Biswa Sarma’s policies has exposed deep fault lines in India’s political and communal discourse. While the BJP has condemned the statement as divisive, the Congress has distanced itself, and civil society voices are calling for constructive engagement.
As Assam continues to grapple with complex socio-political challenges, the need for dialogue, transparency, and inclusive governance remains paramount. Whether this controversy fades or fuels further polarization will depend on how political actors choose to respond in the days ahead.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements as of August 30, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, political, or religious advice.
