Asaduddin Owaisi, MP from Hyderabad and leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), delivered a sharp critique of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Opposition Congress on Tuesday. His comments came during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks and the President’s address in the Lok Sabha.
“So-Called Messiah”
Owaisi accused the BJP of winning elections based on “hate against Muslims” and criticized the Congress by calling it the “so-called messiah” of the Muslim community. He blamed Congress for no significant improvement in Muslim representation in the Lok Sabha, especially after receiving over 90% of Muslim votes. He highlighted that Muslims constitute 14% of India’s population but hold only 4% of the seats in the Lok Sabha.
Only 24 Muslims were elected for the Lok Sabha election this year, which is two less than the elections in 2018. While 21 are from the opposition INDIA block, nine are from Congress. The winning party, the NDA, does not have a single seat.
“Everyone should contemplate and introspect why it is that the OBC and the upper caste are getting their due representation. Why are the Muslims not getting it? Are we here only to vote for you and not get elected?” he added.
Of these, 21 are from the opposition INDIA bloc, including nine from Congress. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) does not have a single Muslim MP. Additionally, there was a significant decline in the number of Muslim candidates from major political parties, with only 82 nominations this year compared to 115 in 2019.
Violence against Muslims
Owaisi also addressed the recent violence against Muslims, including lynching and demolition of properties. In the past month of June, six Muslims have been lynched, and 11 houses in Madhya Pradesh were demolished by what he termed “Modi’s bulldozers.” He criticized the silence of opposition parties on these issues, thus stating, “This is not a moral victory for you; this is a victory of majoritarianism.”
In response to Owaisi’s remarks, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya requested that the Chair, Jagdambika Pal, verify Owaisi’s remarks regarding lynching and “Modi’s bulldozers.”
Owaisi also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue of unemployment. He referred to a recruitment drive for jobs in Israel, suggesting that the government is making Indian youth “cannon fodder” for Israel’s benefit. He questioned India’s foreign policy, especially in light of sending 27 tons of arms to Israel and the potential impact on the nine million Indians working in the Gulf.
