IN spite of a leadership crisis, the Muslims in India have fought their way to a rightful and respectful status. On issues like the Shah Bano alimony case, the Babri Masjid demolition, personal laws, minority character of the Aligarh Muslim University and several others, they have held their ground through peaceful and legal corridors. In the absence of a visible, defined Muslim leadership, there are however many faces in the crowd. Zafaryab Jilani is one such face. With his calm looks, but a firm expression, a brotherly smile, but strong words, he has quietly been defining the meaning of Muslim leadership in India. On a recent Umrah visit to Saudi Arabia, Jilani spoke exclusively to Saudi Gazette. “Babri Masjid's demolition in India had at least one blessing in disguise. It raised the battered morale of the Indian Muslims to stand up to claim their rightful and legal place in the country: in terms of social, religious, educational as well as economic rights,” said Jilani when asked about what the demolition meant for Muslims in India. The Babri Masjid case, which includes the unfortunate demolition by some Hindu hoodlums in December 1992, and which has dragged on for years, is one such issue that not only defines the Muslim line of action but also explains why India remains a ‘Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic' even in the face of a resurgent Hindutva that has tried to challenge the secular credentials of the country. And if the case is hopefully drawing to an end, and if the writing on the wall suggests a decision favorable to the mosque, then Jilani, besides others, must be thanked for pursuing the case like a leader who led the case from the front, and made it a case between those seeking justice and those perpetrating crime, far from making it a Hindu-Muslim issue. “The Muslims gained confidence after the demolition when the whole nation stood behind them. Politicians, such as, Chandreashekhar, VP Singh, etc.; top lawyers, such as, Rajiv Dhavan, Kapil Sibal, Soli J. Sorabjee, VM Tarkunde, and RK Garg; several social bodies, academia, archaeologists, media and support from common people helped us move ahead with the case in a confident manner,” said Jilani. But will the majority Hindus accept the court decision if it goes in favor of the Muslims? Jilani said the Hindu community believes in justice, and will respect judgment. A senior lawyer by profession, Jilani was born in 1950 in Malihabad, a small town near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, India. He is engaged in several Non-governmental organizations, the most prominent being Anjuman Islahul Muslimeen, a 100-year old establishment, which runs three colleges, a cemetery and an orphanage for both girls and boys, besides taking care of unclaimed human bodies. His active participation in issues related to the Muslims brought him close to an important Muslim body, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, in 1978, of which he became a member in 1985. His role was soon recognized and he was made convener of the Personal Law Board Action Committee on Shah Bano case when the Supreme Court tried to interfere with the Islamic law by interpreting the Qur'an. “Had it not been the timely and concerted action from Muslims, the courts of law in India would have got the right to interpret the Qur'an in its way,” he says. In 1986, Jilani along with another prominent leader, Azam Khan, formed the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) in Uttar Pradesh. The BMAC's importance was realized by the community, and two years later in Delhi, the body was turned into a national level organization, and was called the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, of which Jilani was found to be the natural choice for its national level convener's post. “I hold the then Congress Prime Minister Narasimha Rao as the chief culprit in the demolition, as he, till the last hour, assured us that the mosque would be protected,” Jilani said, with anguish as he never met Rao after that, despite the latter's several invitations. Jilani now exudes confidence as he feels that all his efforts will pay off as the case draws to an end. “The Babri Masjid case is in the final stages and we hope that the decision would be in our favor by the end of 2009. All evidences in the case, whether historical, archeological or administrative are in our favor. I have full faith in the judicial system and I'm sure a fair judgment would soon be pronounced,” Jilani said.
