All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday alleged increasing instances of high-handedness against Muslims and asserted that respect and dignity are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Addressing a gathering in his Parliament constituency Hyderabad, the Lok Sabha MP referred to an alleged attack on a mosque in Maharashtra and the comments of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari that Muslim MLAs of TMC would be thrown out of the West Bengal Assembly if the BJP came to power.
He also lashed out at a BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh who suggested that Muslim men should wear hijabs and make a tarpaulin to avoid inconvenience during Holi celebrations.
Owaisi cited Article 25 of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion in an apparent jibe at UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who remarked on offering prayers at home in view of Holi celebrations on Friday.
#WATCH | Telangana: Addressing the gathering at Hyderabad’s Chowk-e-Masjid, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Some say if you’re so scared, you should not offer namaz and stay indoors. They say just like we have covered our mosques, we must cover ourselves also, or else stay… pic.twitter.com/HAT1u9PF99
— ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2025
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‘Won’t Learn My Faith From You’
Slamming the UP Chief Minister, Owaisi said he would not learn about religion from him but from religious scholars.
“One Chief Minister is saying Friday prayers can be offered at home also… Should I learn about religion from him? Freedom of religion is there,” he pointed out.
“… we will go to mosque. Because, we have freedom of religion. Article 25 gives me permission for this. I will not learn my faith from you.” Addressing the media recently, Yogi Adityanath thanked religious leaders for deciding to hold Friday namaz after 2 pm in view of Holi.
Adityanath had said that namaz could be offered after 2 pm, and people who wish to do so before can pray at home.
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‘Timid, Who Ran Away To Pakistan’
Referring to the 1947 partition, Owaisi said that those were considered “timid” who chose to “run away” to Pakistan, while those who stayed back regarded India as their motherland and would continue to do so.
The AIMIM leader noted that respect and dignity are fundamental rights of every Indian citizen in the Constitution and alleged that the same was being taken away.
“It is being said that you are second-class citizens. We will never become second-class citizens. We will confront you democratically and you will be defeated,” he said.
