The AIMIM supremo also stated that Muslims were not “cowards,” criticising the calls for them to stay indoors during Holi
NEW DELHI — Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has claimed that Hindutva icon Veer Savarkar and former RSS chief Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar had “abused” Chhatrapati Sambhaji.
The AIMIM supremo also stated that Muslims were not “cowards,” criticising the calls for them to stay indoors during the Holi celebrations.
“Savarkar and Golwalkar had abused Sambhaji. Then, why does Prime Minister Narendra Modi say that the movie ‘Chhaava’ is good, when he considers Golwalkar as his teacher?” Owaisi questioned, targeting the prime minister and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Owaisi was addressing a gathering in Hyderabad on Friday.
Owaisi’s remarks were supported by Congress, while the BJP and Shiv Sena understandably criticised the AIMIM leader and questioned his source of information.
Congress MP Rashid Alvi said on Saturday that Veer Savarkar was not religious and that the BJP would not approve of his lifestyle.
“Savarkar was not a religious man. Whatever Savarkar used to eat, what he used to drink, BJP would not be able to digest it, so I do not want to indulge in this controversy by opening these pages of history,” Alvi told IANS.
Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa slammed the AIMIM chief, stating, “Veer Savarkar made a significant contribution to this country. His services should not be viewed through the lens of any one religion. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the pride of our country and our culture. If anyone wishes to view him through the lens of their own religion, it is their perspective.”
Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande strongly criticised Owaisi for his remarks on Savarkar and accused him of repeatedly insulting the “freedom fighter.”
“Some people in the country have made it a habit to insult Savarkar, to make him controversial, and tarnish his image. Owaisi and his party should study history so that they can come to their senses,” Kayande told IANS.
The debate intensified over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which Owaisi alleged aimed at taking away Waqf properties.
At the Hyderabad gathering, Owaisi said, “The RSS is after the graves of the Mughals and the Waqf properties. The new law seeks to give rights over Waqf properties to those who have encroached on them.”
Alvi echoed Owaisi’s concerns, calling the bill “unconstitutional” and warning that it would allow the government to seize mosques and dargahs. “This is why this law is being brought, and it is unfortunate and unconstitutional,” he asserted.
Owaisi also hit out at calls for Muslims to stay indoors or cover themselves during Holi, saying, “We will not run, we are not cowards. Those who were scared ran away to Pakistan. 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 indoors.”
Responding to this, Sirsa dismissed the allegations of restrictions on namaz but defended Holi celebrations.
“As far as stopping someone from praying namaz is concerned, that is neither our country’s culture nor our government’s thinking. However, if someone has a problem with Holi, then they should refrain from coming out, as Holi comes once a year. There should not be a need for so many police personnel to be on duty just to ensure Holi can be celebrated. This kind of extremism is not part of India’s culture,” he said. — IANS
