Owaisi tells Pak its Muslim card won’t work in India

IT’s no secret that there are more Muslims in India than in Pakistan. But this fact assumes greater significance when it is emphasised by one of India’s leading Muslim politicians. Asaduddin Owaisi, who heads the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen — a political outfit that considers itself a custodian of Muslim rights in the country — has hit Pakistan where it hurts. Addressing the Indian diaspora in Kuwait as a member of a multi-party delegation, Owaisi said the neighbouring country could not bank on religion to win over Indian Muslims. “We are more sincere (to our country) than them,” he added, delivering a strong message about his community’s unswerving loyalty to India.

Owaisi, a fierce critic of the BJP-led NDA government over Muslim issues, deserves praise for rising above political and communal lines in national interest. Launching a blistering attack on Pakistan, he ridiculed the army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for presenting a fake photo of a military operation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “They want to rival India, but the image was from a 2019 Chinese military drill,” he said, before coming up with the punchline — ‘Nakal karne ke liye bhi akal chahiye". His words, all the more painful because an Indian Muslim leader uttered them, added insult to Islamabad’s injury.

However, it’s not only Pakistan that should think long and hard about Owaisi’s remarks. He has effectively hammered home the point that the patriotism of the Muslim community in India should not be doubted. Hopefully, this voice of sanity will deter leaders and supporters of the ruling party from demonising Muslims or treating them with suspicion. The Pahalgam terror attack was an attempt to aggravate communal tensions in the country, but people belonging to various communities have stood together resolutely. This spirit of unity should be sustained against all odds.

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