New Delhi: It’s an “insult” to Muslims that political parties want their votes but don’t want to talk to or about them in their campaign, All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi has said, pointing out the contrast in the leaders’ response when it concerned Sikhs, another minority community.
He was indirectly referring to the outrage expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of other leaders about Sam Pitroda’s controversial remarks earlier this week about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
“All of them started talking about Sikhs but nobody is talking about mob-lynching, systematic marginalisation of Muslims. They (so-called secular parties) say don’t talk if you want to defeat the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party),” said Owaisi.
“We (Muslims) are not anyone’s captive. The BJP came to power because of you (those parties) and now you want our votes but won’t even come to us to campaign… Naam nahin, campaign nahin, yeh Muslims ki tauheen hai (No name, no campaign, it’s an insult to Muslims),” Owaisi, president of AIMIM, told ThePrint Saturday.
“This is not good for democracy in the long run.”
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Absence of Muslims in electoral campaign
Owaisi’s outrage came in the context of the near-blackout of Muslims in the speeches and campaign planks of so-called secular parties such as the Congress and many non-BJP parties.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been targeting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, accusing them of having a divisive and communal ideology. However, he has refrained from talking about Muslims and their causes in this election season. The Congress president has rather been making headlines by visiting temples and proclaiming himself as “janeu-dhari” Shiv-bhakt.
The approach of other so-called secular leaders has been no different either as they largely avoid Muslims during their poll campaigns.
The Congress’ hesitation to woo Muslims is attributed to senior party leader A.K. Antony’s post-2014 polls report, blaming the party’s worst-ever performance on the perception of it being a pro-minority party.
“It’s sending a very wrong message. Are you (secular parties) not alienating Muslims? Khul kar bol do rajneeti Hindu vote-bank ki chalegi (Say clearly politics of Hindu vote-bank will prevail). For how long will they be silent? Won’t it lead to their marginalisation and ghettoisation?” said Owaisi.
The AIMIM leader said that parties were talking about all samaj or communities or group but “go dumb” when it came to Muslims.
“If you want Muslim vote, nayi dulhin ki tarah se bolne mein kyon sharma rahe ho (If you want Muslim vote, why are you coy like a new bride in seeking it?)” he asked.
Also read: Amit Shah can learn a lot from Asaduddin Owaisi on candidate selection
Parties are silent on muslims..
Because muslims always keep silent when their jihadi terrorist brothers attack India… why no open hate against such muslims who are destroying their peaceful (lol) religion’s image?
They never issue fatwah against terrorists.. they never say they will go to jahannum or hell…
They silently praise them for killing kafirs or non beleivers…
Its written in islam… killing kafirs will get you to heaven…
The parties have realised that now the hindus know all these facts.. and hindus will not tolerate pro jihadi political agenda…
Owaisi got famous after claiming that muslims can finish all hindus in India in 30 minutes if a power cut is arranged…
Its better that these secret jihadis get ignored and perish…
And now the supermuslim owaisi says… why are parties shy like a new bride?
If you wana get penetrated by muslim votes..
Ask and we will give it to you…
Hahahaha…
My dear Friend Ayush,
This absolutely not true that when you kill a kafir you go to heaven. Killing a human is killing a humanity regardless of their religiou belief.
What you wrote is incorrect so please do not spread false information.
I dont think any religion encourages killing, may it be Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Christian except for Klu Klux Klan or Terrorist which has no religion.
If you read that script completely where it was mentioned and why and to whom it was refered you would say such things.
Islam means peace and preaches peace.
However, people like Owaisi and polticians uses religion as their protection shield and spread wrong messages for the sake of political power. I think you know that very well.
Vice versa applies towards some hindu politicians. They even disregard another fellow human being by declaring them as “low cast” amd untouchables. Do they carry some contagious desease. ? What you gotta say about it.???
They are also humans there is no such thing as low cast or untouchables.
No religion or race is above than human. Lets be humans keep all these silly and illeterate differences ashore. We are all humans and lives in a diversifed Nation Called India.
Lets be Indian.
Our democracy is at stakes.
Our believes are at stakes.
Our security at stakes. Our peace is at stakes.
Lets Not Let These Politicians Destroy our Beloved India. Dont be a victim of political interest and seperate us.
Lets be proud Indian.
If you havent voted. Think and elect your leader wisely.
Who can take this nation towards prosperity where we all Hindus, Muslims,Sikhs, Christians, Budhist, Jew, Parsi and many more religion’s people be able to contribute towards making the Nation as Great again.
If you walk alone you cannot walk too far, if you walk together you can achieve the heights of success.
– Proud Indian and a Muslim Human !
Mr. Owaisi, you very well know the reason. Among the Hindus fanatics join RSS and BJP. But among the Muslims almost every one is a fanatic. You just think about the new controversy in Kerala. MES Chairman’s circular. Do you want medical students to cover their faces while attending classes? Do you want them to cover their faces while they practise medicine? And everyone agrees that in Kerala the purdah system became popular only in the last twenty five years. The explanation given by the supporters of the pardah is that it is the choice of individual girls. Wonderful. If Muslim clerics respect the choice of individual girls, they should also support those girls who do not want to cover even their hair. Will they ever do that? Fact is that Muslims want to live in the 7th century. So those political parties who fight against the Hindu fundamentalists who want to live in the period of Manusmriti (probably 3rd century) cannot openly support those who want to live in the 7th century. They can openly support you only when you embrace some modern values.
If Owaisi wants Muslims to be courted by other parties so be it. But if parties do not court Muslims? It is up to them and Owaisi to vote for any one icluding BJP. Or else Owaaisi can ask Muslims to press NOTA or even sitting inhomes. Thia man Owaisi and his likes are the biggest danger to Muslims not BJP.This man should recollect how and why Babri Masjid was opened only to balance the strong arming of Rajive Gandhi by extremists like him in the wake of Sha Bano judgment.In Sha Bano and Babri Masjid Mulims lost. What this man realy intends achive in Maharashtra by defeating congress only he can expalin.
Muslims in India stand marginalized since 1947 .Indian Muslims were the main supporters of All India Muslim League for demand of Pakistan .That is a matter of History .By now the country should have got over it .Fault lies not only with the majority community ,hndus,but also with the Muslims .They are not showing worth while response to shed their orthodox customs/traditions and merge with the mainstream India ..They should not cling together as vote bank but learn to loose their individual identity as a muslim but be proud Indian first and last .
People like Owaisi clan like father like son creating the differnces of religion on the basis of politics whereas country is secular and diversified when it comes to religious tolerance. There has never been a problem until these selfish politicians created the propaganda of religion to inflict the fear and segregate the people of a Nation as Indians.
His Father has taken the money from BJP when Babri Masjid got demolished where as that was a political issue rather than religion interest to create the havoc among the muslims. If only at that time if he stood and said this is totally against the democracy to tarnish the semtiments of any religion we would not have such Hindu Muslims differences today.
People like him who appeared to be leaders to voice the pain / problems of a community to represent with legal authorities at Parliament House makes money out of the opportunities given to them to get the solution from government.
They are opportunists who sells the emotions and trust of All the Muslims to polticians when opportunity arises to voice it at Parliament.
We live in a Nation where we have people from all religions lives in peace and harmony. And celebrate each others festivals together, share the pain & sorrows.
Politicians are the ones to be blamed for the differences that has been created today. Esp politicians like Owaisi clan to be blamed for making the propaganda everytime word Muslim is mentioned even if it has nothing to do with it or even if the that word is missed out.
This fellow has never been elected on the demographical grounds except only by corruption so how would he knows the meaning of democracy. I dont think he has ever campaigned in hindu communties. Why, they are not part of community dont they exist in your area of constituency. To
whom should they go when they problem.
If BJP is not mentioning the Muslims then why arent you mentioning Hindus when you are campaigning. You also have Hindus at large in your constituency. What about them ???
Stop bullying the religion for the sake of politics. Play politics fair.
Talk about problems that exist today, education, youth unemployment, medical for senior citizens, urban development, infrstructure improvement and basic needs of citizens etc.,
Mr. Owaisi, you are agent of BJP
Tell me about money Given by BJP to you for doing all this.
Keep muslim votes with you. Soon pigs will be disallowed from voting. There was muslim appeasement for votes since last 60 years by congress. You turn a blind eye towards that. Now when BJP is winning with the power of Hindu votes , you are blaming everyone , as usual.
It is people like owaisi is creating ground for bjp. If your wear calp and growing beards , how can you stop Yogi from taking limelight.
The caution and the circumspection are understandable. The effort is to avoid counter polarisation. The real test is how these parties behave when in power, whether they walk the extra mile to ensure the safety and security of the minorities. Going beyond that, they should ensure that the picture reflected in the Sachar Committee Report changes for the better. Dr Singh’s remark that the minorities have the first claim over the country’s resources should be seen in the right perspective, of a mother lavishing a little more love on a child that is struggling to keep up with the others.
Only Political Apatheism or Aethism can save this country