“Sharia Above Constitution”: Jharkhand Minister’s Remark Sparks Political Storm on Ambedkar Jayanti

Ranchi: Jharkhand’s Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Minority Welfare, Hafizul Hasan Ansari, stirred controversy on Monday by declaring that for him, Shariah is above the Constitution. The statement, made on the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar—the architect of the Indian Constitution—has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders.

In an interview with News11 Digital, Ansari, a minister in the Congress-backed coalition government in Jharkhand, said, “We hold the Quran in our hearts and the Constitution in our hands. First comes Shariah, then the Constitution—that’s what Islam teaches us.”

The remarks, made in the context of Muslim identity and legal adherence, have put the Congress party in a tight spot. While senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi frequently underscores the importance of protecting the Constitution, his party has remained silent on Ansari’s comments.

BJP has reacted strongly. The party’s Jharkhand unit said, “Those who hold Shariah above the Constitution are welcome to leave for Pakistan or Bangladesh. India will be governed by Ambedkar’s Constitution, and nothing else.”

Godda MP Nishikant Dubey also slammed the minister, stating, “For Congress and its allies, Ambedkar’s Constitution means nothing. Hafizul Ansari clearly places Islamic law above national law. The media won’t speak because it’s the I.N.D.I. alliance talking.”

Ansari has been the MLA from Madhupur since 2021, following in the footsteps of his father, Haji Hussain Ansari, a four-time legislator and the first Muslim minister in Jharkhand. The junior Ansari succeeded his father after the latter passed away due to COVID-related complications.

The minister has also voiced strong opposition to the recently passed Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it an attack on Muslims. “Waqf is a 1400-year-old institution,” he said, accusing the central government of trying to jail Muslims under the guise of law. He further alleged that Christians and tribal communities could be targeted next.

Issuing a veiled warning, Ansari said, “Muslims are patient, not buried in graves.” His remark, perceived by critics as a threat, has deepened political tensions in the state.