– Zaina Aman
New Delhi, Feb. 12: In a scathing critique directed at the Central government, AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi declared in the Lok Sabha on Saturday that “the glow of Indian democracy has significantly faded.” He raised probing questions about whether the Modi administration represented a specific religious group or the entire nation.
“I want to ask if the Modi government is the government of a particular community, religion, or the government of the entire country? Is the Modi government only of one religion and Hindutva? Does the Government of India have a religion?” he queried.
“Through 22nd January (consecration of Ram temple), does this government want to send a message that one religion triumphed over the other? Does the Constitution allow this?… What message do you give to the 17 crore Muslims in the country?” Owaisi further questioned
“I respect Lord Ram, but I abhor Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi, whose final words were ‘Hey Ram’,” he stated.
“In 1949, 1986, 1992, 2019, and on January 22, Muslims were betrayed,” the outspoken Muslim leader asserted. He pointed out that the Modi government commemorated the events of December 6.”
He continued, “India today requires individuals like Maulana Ameer Ali, a Maulvi, and Baba Ramcharan Das, a priest, both hailing from Ayodhya, who fought against the British and sacrificed their lives.”
The AIMIM MP highlighted that the Modi government’s decision to confer the Bharat Ratna on BJP leader LK Advani, who led the rath yatra, and the then PM PV Narasimha Rao, who remained undisturbed during the Babri Masjid demolition, raises questions about justice. “This indicates whether justice is being served or injustice is being perpetuated,” he remarked.
Owaisi also referenced the resolution passed by the Lok Sabha on December 16, 1992, condemning the “disintegration and demolition” of the Babri Masjid on December 6.
Owaisi concluded his speech with a resolute affirmation, stating, “I firmly believe that the mosque continues to exist and shall persist at its original site. The Babri Masjid was, is, and will forever endure.”
