The political atmosphere in Delhi has become increasingly charged following AIMIM’s entry into the city’s electoral landscape
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — In a move that has stirred political discourse in the national capital, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is reportedly considering fielding 2020 Delhi riots accused Shahrukh Pathan from the Seelampur Assembly seat. The move comes after the party’s Delhi chief, Dr Shoaib Jami, met with the family of Pathan, currently lodged in Tihar Jail, to discuss his situation.
Pathan, who was involved in one of the most widely publicised incidents during the Delhi riots, has been a subject of controversy since the violence that engulfed the capital in February 2020. The speculation surrounding his political future has intensified after AIMIM’s recent foray into Delhi politics, with the party already fielding former AAP leader Tahir Hussain as a candidate from Mustafabad. Now, questions are being raised about whether the party will also take a controversial stance with Pathan.
In an exclusive statement, Shoaib Jami addressed the growing rumours, clarifying that while AIMIM’s local organisation had been asked to consider Pathan’s candidacy, the matter had yet to be discussed in detail by the party’s higher echelons. “Our local organisation has asked us to consider whether we can field Shahrukh Pathan. We have not raised the issue in our internal discussions yet. The high command will consider it and we will see what the people of Seelampur think and what his family says,” Jami stated.
This statement comes after Shoaib Jami’s meeting with Shahrukh Pathan’s family, during which discussions revolved around his legal battles and potential bail. Following the meeting, Jami took to social media to express his support for Pathan, arguing that in a democratic setup, every individual, including riot-accused persons, should be given a chance to participate in the political process.
“I believe in democracy. Everyone should get a chance, and the people will decide who can become a leader and who can’t,” said Jami. Drawing a parallel between Shahrukh Pathan’s case and that of Rambhakt Gopal, who had been granted bail after his involvement in a shooting incident at Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jami questioned why Pathan should not be allowed the same treatment. “If Rambhakt Gopal can get bail, why can’t Shahrukh Pathan? And why can’t he contest elections?” he asked.
The political atmosphere in Delhi has become increasingly charged following AIMIM’s entry into the city’s electoral landscape. The party, led by Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, made waves earlier this month by nominating Tahir Hussain as a candidate despite his implication in the same riots. Hussain’s nomination sparked outrage among critics, with many accusing the party of defending those implicated in the violence. However, AIMIM has continued to defend its stance, arguing that its focus remains on serving the people, particularly the Muslim community, regardless of the controversy surrounding the individuals they back.
Pathan’s case remains sensitive, as he is accused of participating in a riot that led to the deaths of over 50 people and widespread destruction in Delhi. The image of him holding a gun and allegedly threatening a police officer became one of the defining images of the riots. Despite these serious charges, his supporters maintain that he is innocent and was merely acting in self-defence during the riots.
For many in Seelampur, a constituency with a significant Muslim population, the prospect of a local figure like Pathan running for office brings both excitement and division. Some believe that his candidacy could galvanise the community, while others view it as a dangerous precedent that could undermine the integrity of the political system.
AIMIM’s decision to consider Shahrukh Pathan is not just about one individual’s political ambitions — it is a reflection of the party’s broader strategy to expand its influence in Delhi’s complex political landscape. The party’s rise in the city, once dominated by Congress, BJP, and AAP, has been swift. AIMIM’s focus on issues affecting the Muslim community has resonated with many, especially in the wake of the communal tensions that have periodically flared up in the capital.
However, not everyone is in favour of AIMIM’s growing presence. Critics argue that the party is using the unrest caused by the Delhi riots to gain political mileage, making the accusations against figures like Pathan part of a broader narrative of victimhood.
“We cannot condone violence in any form, and by offering a platform to riot-accused individuals, the party risks normalising such actions,” said one Delhi-based political analyst, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s one thing to support people who have been wronged, but endorsing those accused of violent acts risks sending a dangerous message.”
