Bandi Sanjay suffers from Islamophobia, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjayfor his statement that training in handling the AK-47 rifle is provided in Madrasas (Islamic educational institutions).
“Bandi is clearly suffering from Islamophobia “He has been accused by members of the Muslim community of violating human rights and promoting the practice in the country. As a Union minister, how can he make such sweeping accusations against madrasas without presenting any evidence? Did he find an AK-47 in a madrasa? His statement only reflects his prejudiced mindset and hatred towards Muslims and Islam,” Owaisi said while addressing the Jalsa Rahmatul-lil-Alameen, an annual public gathering to mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad, on Friday evening.
Owaisi also highlighted the role of Muslims in India’s freedom struggle, stressing that the Union minister should acknowledge that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) did not sacrifice itself for the nation’s independence. “Muslims played an important role during the freedom movement and Madrasas even issued fatwas to fight against British rule. The first prisoner sent to Kala Pani jail was a Muslim freedom fighter and many others were hanged or executed by the British for resisting colonial rule. The entire nation should condemn the baseless remarks made by the Karimnagar MP,” he said. Bandi Sanjay made the remarks while inaugurating a girls’ home at Jammikunta in Karimnagar district.
Owaisi also targeted Bandi Sanjay and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation in Manipur. He criticised them for their inaction when the state was in the grip of unrest, with over 800 police arms and ammunition seized by rioters. “Modiji has shown interest in mediating the war between Russia and Ukraine, but he is silent on the violence in Manipur where Christian women and girls have been brutally attacked,” Owaisi added.
Responding to the RSS’s complaint that Waqf boards control 9.4 lakh acres of land, Owaisi questioned the criticism, saying that these lands were donations from Muslims. “Why is it a problem if Muslims have donated land to Waqf? RSS supporters conveniently avoid mentioning the vast lands held by Hindu trusts. In four Indian states alone, Hindu trusts control over 10 lakh acres – Tamil Nadu has 4.7 lakh acres of land under temples and maths, Andhra Pradesh has 4 lakh acres, Telangana 87,000 acres and Odisha 12,776 acres, according to the CAG. And this is without counting the Hindu trust lands in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Bengal, Assam and others,” he pointed out.
Owaisi also criticised individuals who claim to be the ‘janasheen’ (successors) of saint Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz, calling them “colourful pranksters” engaged in theatrical intrigues. He then accused one such janasheen of being aligned with Prime Minister Modi, alleging that some people are getting an annual sum of Rs 2 crore with a 5 per cent increase in the Dargah but are not contributing to any welfare. “The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 must be opposed at all costs,” Owaisi said.
Expressing optimism about Modi’s political term ending, Owaisi predicted that the BJP would face defeat in the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir as well as Haryana.
Owaisi further condemned the behaviour of Muslim youth who danced during the Milad processions and called on the Telangana government to ban DJs from participating in any religious procession, irrespective of their faith.
Owaisi also expressed concern over the silence of the BRS leadership on the Waqf Amendment Bill, expressing surprise at their lack of opposition. “It is shocking that the BRS has not spoken out against the Waqf Bill. They should be opposing Modiji’s policies, but instead they are remaining silent,” he said. Owaisi also highlighted the BRS’s silence on the Jainoor violence, noting, “It is disturbing to learn that BRS workers were involved in attacking Muslim homes during the Jainoor violence, while BJP workers were less in number.” He added, “They are adopting a wait and watch policy. Let them do it; we will show them too.”