In a surprising turn of events, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, expressed his perplexity at his party's omission from the recent meeting of opposition parties held in Patna, Bihar on June 23. Owaisi further criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his assertions during his visit to the United States, claiming that minorities in India were not facing discrimination under his government.
Owaisi's colleague and Aurangabad Lok Sabha MP, Imitiaz Jaleel, joined in the criticism, emphasizing that the AIMIM was more determined to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) than any other party present at the meeting. Jaleel questioned the exclusion of AIMIM despite the significant following of Asaduddin Owaisi across multiple states.
Addressing the issue, Owaisi stated, "I don't know why we were not called. The issue raised by Jaleel is serious. My question is should someone thirsty come to the water source or should water go to the thirsty?" He pointed out the alleged discrimination faced by Dalits, Muslims, Adivasis, and other marginalized groups under the BJP-led central government. Owaisi stressed the importance of considering these issues while forming an agenda to counter the Narendra Modi administration.
Expressing concerns about the law and order situation in Maharashtra, the AIMIM leader urged the bureaucracy and administration to prioritize maintaining law and order, stating that political parties may change in power, but stability should prevail.
Turning his attention to PM Modi's statements on minority discrimination, Owaisi cited the ongoing violence in Manipur, where he claimed that 300 churches had been burnt. He also highlighted discriminatory acts such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, the discontinuation of the Maulana Azad scholarship, and alleged violence by cow vigilantes as evidence of minority harassment under the current government.
Owaisi further criticized the lack of Muslim representation in the BJP, stating, "The biggest discrimination is that the BJP has 300 Lok Sabha MPs but none of them is Muslim. There is no Muslim minister in the Union government either." Additionally, he raised concerns about the inadequate arrangements for Haj pilgrims this year despite increased expenses, calling for an investigation into the matter.
