In response to heated debates over a recent remark by his party colleague Mohibullah Nadvi in Parliament, party MP Afzal Ansari on Tuesday came forward to defend Nadvi and another cleric, dismissing media criticism as “hypocritical and inflammatory.” Speaking to reporters, Ansari said that neither Nadvi nor Madan Pasha (“Madani sa’ab”) had made any statements deserving of condemnation. “They said nothing wrong,” Ansari emphasized.

He condemned what he called sensationalist media framing that weaponizes terms such as “jihad.” “For years, Indian media have been harping on this term — love jihad, thook jihad. Why the sudden outrage now?” Ansari demanded. He argued that if figures such as Madani — whose father and grandfather had spent years in jail during India’s struggle for freedom — were accused of wrongdoing, the same logic would criminalize their contributions. “Opposing atrocity under British rule was jihad too,” he said, asking media and critics to reflect on that history.

Addressing those who question Muslim support for the country, Ansari said: “You celebrate the Hindi slogan ‘Madar-e-Watan’, but waves of scepticism come when we express ours. If our ancestors fought for this country, who are you to deny us respect or love for it?”