Hyderabad parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Maharashtra government for the recent communal violence that broke the calm of Nagpur, and accused its ministers of making communally-charged statements that led to the incident.
Mr. Owaisi, also the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president, was speaking at the Masjid-e-Quba as part of Ramzan Jalsa Youm-ul-Quran public meetings. He questioned why that State had not taken proactive measures to contain the recent incidents of violence in Nagpur.
He criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his ministers for allegedly making provocative remarks. “You say riots happened because of a picture [Chhaava], but what were you doing? Isn’t Nagpur your city? Verses of the Quran, inscribed on cloth, were burnt. A complaint was given in the afternoon, yet no action has been taken. Later, disturbances broke out. We condemn the violence, but how can you blame it on a picture? Police are under your control. This is an intelligence failure,” he said.
Police, he said, gave miscreants bail from the police station itself. He also accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of duplicitous behaviour.
Questioning the narrative on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and raking up issues that were over 300 years old, Mr. Owaisi asked, “Have you come to unite people or break them? You talk about history, then should I remind you about Pushpamitra Shunga? Should I speak about the Cholas?”
Mr. Owaisi said that “divisive remarks” were being made at a time when the country was dealing with more important issues such as economic concerns, rising unemployment, water shortages, and factory closures. “China is occupying Indian territory, but the government is busy spreading hatred,” he remarked.
He also raised concerns over the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, alleging that the government intends to take control of Waqf properties. “Their real motive is to seize masjids, dargahs, khanqahs, graveyards, and evacuee Waqf properties. They want to abolish elections in Waqf boards, appoint non-Muslims and their sycophants, and take over Waqf institutions. We must strongly oppose this law,” he said, adding that the Bill had been widely rejected.
He further claimed that the Bill is likely to be tabled in Parliament after Eid and urged the community to remain united. “Strengthen this unity. Keep those who seek to divide you at bay,” he said.
Published – March 21, 2025 07:10 pm IST