In a press conference held yesterday, Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), expressed his belief that political secularism has had detrimental consequences for Muslims in India. Owaisi argued that the concept of political secularism has been manipulated to curtail Muslim representation in state assemblies and the parliament, leading to the disempowerment of the Muslim community.
Owaisi’s remarks came in response to recent comments made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the United States. Gandhi had referred to Muslims, Christians, Dalits, and tribals as groups that were feeling “attacked.” Owaisi criticized Gandhi for not specifically addressing the concerns of the Muslim community and instead broadening the discussion to include other marginalized groups. He urged Gandhi to focus on the challenges faced by Muslims and highlighted incidents of violence against Muslims that occurred in the 1980s when the Congress party held power in Uttar Pradesh and at the central government level.
The Hyderabad Member of Parliament emphasized his long-standing belief that political secularism has hindered the progress and empowerment of Indian Muslims. He firmly stated his opposition to political secularism, asserting that it has been utilized as a tool to marginalize the Muslim community, diminishing their representation in both the legislative assemblies and the parliament.
Owaisi further criticized the Congress party, accusing them of hypocrisy and inconsistency in their approach towards issues affecting Muslims. He mentioned instances such as the alleged killings of Junaid and Nasir in Rajasthan, purportedly by right-wing groups, as well as the controversial “Dharam Sansad” event sponsored by the Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh, where Mahatma Gandhi was allegedly disparaged. Owaisi argued that these incidents demonstrated the Congress party’s failure to protect and advocate for the rights and safety of Muslims.
Moreover, Owaisi criticized the Congress party for supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019. He claimed that this amendment had resulted in the disproportionate incarceration of Muslims, Dalits, and individuals critical of the ruling regime.
Asaduddin Owaisi’s statements shed light on his concerns regarding the impact of political secularism on the Muslim community in India. The AIMIM president called for a more focused approach to address the specific issues faced by Indian Muslims and urged political leaders to prioritize their concerns in order to ensure their empowerment and protection.
