Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has said that no one can really encompass the kamaalaat (excellences) of these Akaabir (i.e. our senior Ulama of Deoband). They did not engage in forming parties (organizations and separatist groups). They were like the A’immah (i.e. A’immah Mujtahideen of the era of the Salafus Saaliheen). Bigotry and narrow-mindedness were unknown to them.
Whilst Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله was in Deoband in his student days, he mentioned that he was under the impression that all Ulama were like our Akaabir. However, Hazrat رحمه الله said that he saw the reality after emerging from the portals of Deoband.
(SOURCE: MALFOOZAAT OF HAZRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THAANWI SAHIB رحمه الله, PART 6)