In a fiery campaign speech ahead of crucial civic elections, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, accusing them of systematically undermining Muslim religious institutions through legislative means.
Allegations of Targeting Religious Institutions
Addressing a rally in Nanded on Monday evening, Owaisi centered his critique on the recently enacted Waqf Act. He alleged that the government is using this law to "lock mosques" and dispute the ownership of historic dargahs that are over a century old. The AIMIM leader claimed the ultimate goal is to transfer control of these properties to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
"The intention of the government through the Waqf Act is to lock the mosques, show that dargahs which are over 100 years old are not owned by Waqf and that the ASI owns them," Owaisi stated. He directly linked the upcoming polls to this issue, noting that the Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation elections on January 15 are the first to be held after the act came into force.
A Call to Reject BJP and Allies at the Ballot
Owaisi made a direct appeal to voters, urging them to use their franchise to send a strong political message. He called for the rejection of the BJP, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in the civic polls.
"People should vote against these parties to send a strong message to those seeking to finish off the Waqf Board in the state and the country," he asserted. He emphasized that Muslims are "not tenants or second-class citizens" and that India is their country as well. The AIMIM has fielded 37 candidates for the 81-seat Nanded civic body.
Defending his focus on religious matters in politics, Owaisi said his connection to mosques and dargahs is rooted in the Constitution's promise of liberty of thought, expression, and belief.
Broader Political Criticisms and Historical References
Owaisi's speech also included pointed criticisms of other political figures. He took a swipe at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for parting ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar, suggesting a double standard in political accountability. "He is Ajit Pawar, so he is out... but if a Muslim had been there, he would have been jailed for 75 years," Owaisi claimed.
He also commented on BJP MP Ashok Chavan, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi sidelined him "like a fly taken out of a cup of tea" by not making him a minister at the Centre.
Furthermore, Owaisi referenced the 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts, which claimed 185 lives. He noted that 11 Muslim men were imprisoned for 19 years, and one, Kamal Ansari, died in jail during COVID in 2021. "Neither the victims nor the accused got justice," he said, questioning the Congress party, which was in power in Maharashtra at the time.
Owaisi concluded with a warning about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls scheduled for Maharashtra, implying that voting this time is crucial for citizens to ensure their names remain on the list.
