New Delhi:

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, speaking in Lok Sabha yesterday, questioned the calls to survey or demolish some mosques across the country amid debates over the Places of Worship Act. Speaking during a debate on 75 years of the Constitution of India, the Hyderabad MP also accused the Centre of trying to “snatch away” Waqf properties.

“Today, I am being asked if there was a mosque 500 years ago… If I dig up this Parliament and something will be found, will it become mine?” Mr Owaisi said.

His remarks came days after the Supreme Court paused the ongoing surveys of places of worship, including mosques.

In his nearly 9-minute speech, he also expressed his concern over the situation of minorities.

“What Babasaheb said 75 years ago remains absolutely true even today – no one wants the minority to share power,” the 55-year-old leader said.

“Let me explain the measure of success of parliamentary democracy. Articles 25, 26, 29, 30, 14, and 21-these fundamental rights form the foundation. By focusing on these, I will illustrate whether justice has truly been served to the weaker sections of society,” he said, citing incidents of harassment against Muslims.

AIMIM अध्यक्ष बैरिस्टर @asadowaisi ने लोकसभा में “भारत के संविधान की 75 वर्षों” पर चर्चा के दौरान अपनी बात रखी। संविधान में दिए गए हुक़ूक़ भारत के मुसलमानों के लिए अधूरे रह गए हैं।#asaduddinowaisi#parliamentwintersession2024#75yearsOfConstitution#asadowaisi… pic.twitter.com/9bgmRxDTpF

— AIMIM (@aimim_national) December 14, 2024

Referring to the Waqf Amendment bill, Mr Owaisi said the goal of the central government is to “snatch away Waqf properties”.

“You want to snatch it away on the basis of your strength,” he said.

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The bill requires that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government.

Opposition parties have alleged that the amendments proposed by the bill violate the religious rights of Muslims. The government, however, has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency to the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable.

“Read Article 26, it gives religious denominations, the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says that Waqf has nothing to do with the Constitution. Who is teaching the PM? Make him read Article 26,” he said.

New Delhi:

An Allahabad High Court judge’s remarks at an event organised by the Visva Hindu Parishad have sparked a massive row, with AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi questioning how a minority party can expect justice from such a judge.

Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav delivered a lecture on the Constitutional Necessity of a Uniform Civil Code in Prayagraj yesterday. The event was organised by the legal cell of Vishva Hindu Parishad. In remarks that have since triggered a controversy, the judge said the law in the country works according to the majority.

“I have no hesitation in saying that this is Hindustan, this country would function as per the wishes of the bahusankhyak (majority) living in Hindustan. This is the law. You can’t say you are saying this being a High Court Judge. The law works according to the majority. Look at it in the context of family or society…Only what benefits the welfare and happiness of the majority will be accepted,” he said, according to Live Law.

The VHP was banned on various occasions. It is associated with RSS, an organisation that Vallabhai Patel banned for being a ‘force of hate and violence.’

It is unfortunate that a High Court judge attended the conference of such an organisation. This “speech” can be easily… https://t.co/IMce7aYbcf

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 9, 2024

Criticising the judge, Hyderabad MP Owaisi said the Constitution of India expects independence and impartiality of its judiciary.

“The VHP was banned on various occasions. It is associated with RSS, an organisation that Vallabhai Patel banned for being a ‘force of hate and violence’. It is unfortunate that a High Court judge attended the conference of such an organisation. This ‘speech’ can be easily rebutted, but it’s more important to remind his honour that the Constitution of India expects judicial independence and impartiality,” the AIMIM chief posted on X.

A barrister, Mr Owaisi said the Constitution of India is not a majoritarian but a democratic one. “In a democracy, the minority’s rights are protected. As Ambedkar put it ‘…as a King has no Divine Right to rule, so also a majority has no Divine Right to rule’.

“This speech indicts the collegium system and raises questions on judicial impartiality. How can a minority party expect justice before someone who participates in VHP’s programs?” he added.

During the lecture, Justice Yadav also said that while practices such as sati had been abolished in Hinduism, the Muslim community continues to permit the practice of having multiple wives.

“You can’t claim the right to have four wives, perform Halala, or practice Triple Talaq… UCC isn’t something that VHP, RSS, or Hinduism advocates. The country’s top court also talks about it… I am taking an oath that this country will definitely bring a single law, and it will bring it very soon,” he said.

New Delhi:

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has been served notice by the police in poll-bound Maharashtra’s Solapur over his speeches.

The notice was served to Mr Owaisi while he was on a crowded stage during a rally in Solapur assembly constituency.

Mr Owaisi was campaigning for Farooq Shabdi, the Solapur candidate of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).

The police in the notice instructed Mr Owaisi not to hurt sentiments of any community in his speeches and not to use inflammatory words. The AIMIM chief, who was seated on a chair, was seen reading the notice while at the same time talking on a mobile phone.

The notice did not refer to any particular instance when Mr Owaisi may have violated any law with his speeches.

He has been a fierce critic of the controversial Waqf Bill 2024. The AIMIM also welcomed the Supreme Court’s directions on “bulldozer justice”, which laid down national guidelines on demolition of properties. The Supreme Court had said the executive cannot become a judge, declare an accused guilty and demolish houses.

Mr Owaisi had said the Supreme Court order will “hopefully” prevent state governments from “collectively punishing Muslims and other marginalised groups”.

The AIMIM chief had accused the BJP of glorifying ‘bulldozer action’. “Suppose there are 50 houses in one neighbourhood, but the only house being demolished is of Abdur Rehman, then it is being claimed that not the whole locality is illegal but only his house. This is a prime example of creating hatred,” he had said.

His party has criticised rival parties in Maharashtra for having no ideology left in them, pointing at the sheer complexity of the political landscape following the double split of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and new alliances of parties that did not traditionally share the same ideology.

This was not the first time Mr Owaisi received notice over alleged problematic speeches. Before the general election earlier this year, the Election Commission had sent him notice for alleged communal statements at a meeting in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency.

New Delhi:

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul-Muslimeen or AIMIM has joined the battle for Maharashtra, hoping to expand its niche in the western state. With eye on Muslim and Dalit votes, the party is contesting on 16 seats. Though it won only two seats in 2014 and 2019, its effect had extended to cutting into the non-BJP votes from the Congress, triggering Maha Vikas Aghadi’s allegation that it is the “B Team” of the BJP. 

AIMIM won Malegaon Central and Dhule in 2019 after contesting on 44 seats, but spoiled the chances of the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s undivided NCP on a dozen seats.

This time, the party has fielded four Dalit and 12 Muslim candidates in Aurangabad Central, Aurangabad East, Mumbra-Kalwa (Thane), Malegaon Central, Dhule, Solapur, Nanded South, Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Bhiwandi West, Karanja, Nagpur North, Byculla, Versova (Mumbai), Murtizapur (Akola), Kurla and Miraj (Sangli). 

Most of these seats are around Mumbai. On almost all seats, there are strong candidates of the Congress, NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT). 

The campaign is being spearheaded by party chief Asaduddin Owaisi and his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi, with the slogan “Jai Bhim, Jai MIM”. 

Mr Owaisi’s hurdles have been multiplied by the Ulema Board, which has supported the MVA with 17 conditions. 

The main demands of the board include a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the BJP, and opposition to the Waqf Bill.

Mr Owaisi feels this move of the board may lead to a division in his Muslim votebank. But such a split will hit the MVA worse.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his “vote jihad” remarks, claiming the BJP leader’s (ideological) ancestors wrote “love letters” to the British instead of fighting against them.

During a public meeting here on Sunday, Mr Owaisi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” slogan goes against the diversity ethos.

Mr Fadnavis on Saturday claimed “vote jihad” had begun in poll-bound Maharashtra, which should be countered by “Dharma yuddha” of vote. He had mentioned the BJP’s narrow loss in Dhule Lok Sabha constituency.

Countering him, Mr Owaisi said, “Our ancestors did jihad against the British and Fadnavis is now teaching us about jihad. (PM) Narendra Modi, (Union minister) Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis together cannot defeat me in a debate.”

Mr Owaisi claimed the “dharmayuddha-jihad” remarks amounted to poll code violation.

“From where did ‘vote jihad and dharmayuddha’ come in democracy? You purchased MLAs; should we call you a thief?” the Hyderabad MP questioned.

While Mr Fadnavis talks about (vote) jihad, his hero was writing “love letters” to the British, whereas “our freedom fighters did not negotiate with the foreign rulers,” he said.

“We gave the method of fighting against the British. He (Fadnavis) said ‘vote jihad’ after they (BJP) didn’t get votes in Malegaon (during Lok Sabha election). When they fail to get votes, they call it jihad. They lost in Ayodhya. How did that happen”? Mr Owaisi questioned.

“Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers, not yours. Fadnavis, whose ancestors were writing love letters to the British, will teach us jihad?” he added in a veiled attack on Hindutva ideologues revered by the BJP.

PM Modi says ‘Ek Hai to Safe Hai’ because they (BJP) want to end the diversity of this country, the AIMIM leader said, adding the Maratha community was betrayed by rulers who failed to give them reservation.

Mr Owaisi claimed many industrial projects went to Gujarat but Mr Fadnavis showed no courage to stop them. “Was he afraid of Narendra Modi?” he asked.

Referring to a controversy over Hindutva seer Ramgiri Maharaj’s statements, Mr Owaisi said remarks against the Prophet won’t be tolerated.

He appealed to people to come out to vote on November 20. “Our victory in Aurangabad will be saluted by the people of India,” he added.

Mr Owaisi addressed a public meeting in Jinsi area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in support of AIMIM candidates Imtiaz Jaleel (Aurangabad East) and Naser Siddiqui (Aurangabad Central) for the November 20 assembly elections.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) ripped into the Waqf Amendment bill presented in parliament today, calling it “discriminatory” and “arbitrary”. The bill, he said, interferes with the fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion enshrined in the constitution, and would help the government take over not only Waqf properties but also those belonging to dargahs and mosques. 

The proposed law, which envisages changes to the existing version on 44 points, has already been criticised as “draconian” by the Opposition parties.

“No law limits the right of a person to will their property or dispose it. But look at what you are doing – Hindus can give complete property to daughter or son. I as a Muslim can only give one-third. I can gift but cannot give it to Allah. You are stopping me from praying. You are restraining work for Allah,” Mr Owaisi said. 

In particular he took on a provision that bars converts for less than five years from donating to Waqf. “To insist that a person has been practicing for five years — how can this be verified? Who will decide? Does a new convert have to wait for five years to donate? Isn’t that a violation of right to freedom of religion?” Mr Owaisi said in a sharp takedown of the proposed amendments.  

Such a rule, he pointed out, is not applicable to Hindus, Sikhs or people belonging to any other religions.

Mr Owaisi also alleged that the bill violates the Constitution’s Articles 14, which guarantees equality before law and Article 15, which bars  discrimination on basis of religion. The government, he added, is “not competent” to make these amendments and accused it of being divisive.

Another key provision that has had the Opposition and a section of the Muslim community up in arms is the inclusion of two non-Muslim persons, a Union Minister, three MPs and senior IAS officers in the Waqf board. The amendments also require the inclusion of women. 

The government has defended the Bill saying it would lead to transparency and benefits to women and children by protecting their inheritance. 

The bill requires that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government. 

New Delhi:

 A group of people gathered outside the residence of AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and raised slogans and splashed black paint. Police has registered a case in the matter, officials said on Friday.

Delhi Police officials said a case under sections 143, 506, 153A and 147 of the Indian Penal Code was lodged at the Parliament Street Police station.

On Thursday, some persons came to Mr Owaisi’s residence and created a commotion, they said.

They matter is being investigated, police added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday alleged that some “unknown miscreants” vandalised his Delhi residence with black ink.

The AIMIM MP shared this claim on his X handle and wrote, “Some “unknown miscreants” vandalised my house with black ink today. I have now lost count the number of times my Delhi residence has targeted.”

He further claimed that upon asking about the incident, the Delhi Police expressed their helplessness on this incident.

“When I asked @DelhiPolice officials how this was happening right under their nose, they expressed helplessness.”

Mr Owaisi further asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla on the safety of MPs and wrote, “@AmitShah this is happening under your oversight. @ombirlakota, please tell us if MPs’ safety will be guaranteed or not.”

Mr Owaisi, in his post, regarded this attack as “Savarkar-type cowardly behaviour” and wrote, “To the two-bit goons who keep targeting my house: this does not scare me. Stop this Savarkar-type cowardly behaviour and be men enough to face me. Do not scurry away after throwing some ink or pelting a few stones.”

Some “unknown miscreants” vandalised my house with black ink today. I have now lost count the number of times my Delhi residence has targeted. When I asked @DelhiPolice officials how this was happening right under their nose, they expressed helplessness. @AmitShah this is… pic.twitter.com/LmOuXu6W63

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 27, 2024

Earlier, on Thursday, Asaduddin Owaisi attacked the central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders did not resist the Emergency, rather they wanted the ban on the organisation to be lifted.

The RSS is the ideological parent of the BJP.

In a post on ‘X’, Mr Owaisi wrote, “Speaking of emergency, what was the Sangh Parivar up to? Following the great tradition of Sorryvarkar’s mercy petitions, RSS was eager to please Indira Gandhi.”

“RSS leaders did not resist, they just wanted the ban on RSS to be lifted,” he added.

The 21-month-long period of emergency, which was imposed by the then Congress government led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, has been in the limelight again as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the emergency, which is considered one of the most controversial periods in India’s political history.

The RSS was banned during the period of emergency by the then-government.

Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu, addressed the joint sitting of the Parliament and criticised the imposition of ‘Emergency’.

“Emergency was the biggest and darkest chapter of the direct attack on the Constitution. The entire country plunged into chaos during the emergency, but the nation was victorious against such unconstitutional powers,” she said.

The remarks of the President have triggered reactions from the leaders of the INDIA bloc.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

AIMIM chief and the party’s lone Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi claimed his home in Delhi’s high-security Ashoka Road area was vandalised with black ink by some unknown miscreants today.

Sharing a video of police officers wiping the ink off the plaque outside his residence, the MP wrote: “Some “unknown miscreants” vandalised my house with black ink today. I have now lost count of the number of times my Delhi residence has been targeted. When I asked the Delhi Police officials how this was happening right under their noses, they expressed helplessness.”

Some “unknown miscreants” vandalised my house with black ink today. I have now lost count the number of times my Delhi residence has targeted. When I asked @DelhiPolice officials how this was happening right under their nose, they expressed helplessness. @AmitShah this is… pic.twitter.com/LmOuXu6W63

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 27, 2024

Tagging Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Mr Owaisi said. “Amit Shah, this is happening under your oversight. Om Birla, please tell us if MPs’ safety will be guaranteed or not.”

The MP, who registered a decisive win from Hyderabad by defeating the BJP’s firebrand candidate Kompella Madhavi Latha by over 3.38 lakh votes, also sent out a message for the “two-bit goons who keep targeting my house”.

“To the two-bit goons who keep targeting my house: this does not scare me… be men enough to face me. Do not scurry away after throwing some ink or pelting a few stones,” he wrote.

Last year, his Delhi home was attacked twice – once in August, when two glass panels on a door were found broken and another in February, when stones were thrown and the nameplate was damaged.

In 2022, his convoy came under fire in Uttar Pradesh while the MP was travelling from Meerut to Delhi. Mr Owaisi, who had a close shave, had said that four shots were fired at his cavalcade. Later two men were arrested in the case.

The five-time Hyderabad MP stirred a huge controversy earlier this week as he expressed solidarity with war-torn Palestine while taking oath as an MP.

The mention triggered massive outrage and strong reactions from members of the treasury benches, prompting the Chair to expunge it.

However, Mr Owaisi defended his Palestine chant and said: “Other members are also saying different things. I said ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’. How is it wrong? Tell me the provision of the Constitution. You should also listen to what others said. I said what I had to. Read what Mahatma Gandhi had said about Palestine.”

Asked why he mentioned Palestine, Mr Owaisi clarified, “They are oppressed people”.

The Hyderabad MP could be disqualified for “demonstrating adherence to a foreign State, that is Palestine”, sources in the BJP said.

Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje wrote to the Home Minister’s office objecting to the speech and requested the pro tem Speaker to ask Mr Owaisi to take oath once again.

Nashik:

The former mayor of Maharashtra’s Malegaon Abdul Malik Mohammed Yunus Isa was shot by unidentified attackers this morning. Mr Malik, a prominent leader in Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party, suffered three bullet wounds and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. 

Mr Malik sustained injuries on the left side of his chest, left thigh, and right hand. As the injuries were severe, the AIMIM leader was then transferred to a hospital in Nashik.

The incident occurred at 1:20 am while Mr Malik was seated outside a shop on Old Agra Road, as per a Malegaon city police official. The local police have launched an extensive investigation, but no arrests have been made so far.