Expressing his take on the statements of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, president Asaduddin Owaisi said Muslims in the country will not flee, but stay back to fight for their constitutional rights. Speaking to media persons, Mr. Owaisi said “there is no question of Muslims leaving the country”.
Mr. Aamir Khan had earlier expressed his dissent against the climate of intolerance in the country as he quoted his wife’s dilemma on whether to leave the country owing to recent incidents of intolerance. “Leaders of the ruling party and its sister organisations have been issuing insinuating statements. But I want to say that Muslims will not leave the country come what may. We are Indians not just by birth, but by choice,” Mr. Owaisi said. Muslim citizens in the country have seen many adversities, including riots where thousands lost their lives and Babri Masjid was demolished, he said, adding the community’s grievances were always against the ruling parties which failed to provide constitutional rights.
“This is our country and we will continue to struggle and fight. We will not succumb to the political parties which are trying to create fear,” the barrister said, adding if Muslims bowed out to fascists it would be disservice to the freedom fighters who fought for the country. “We will not disappoint those who fought the battle of 1857 or those who lost lives in Kalapani,” he said, adding their dream was to live as proud Indians.
Mr. Owaisi, however, said that he “cannot speak for a film star,” but can speak as a “proud Indian Muslim that I will not succumb to the dog whistle politics of the Sangh Parivar. So long as planet Earth survives Muslims will live in India as rightful citizens fighting for our due share and due position,” he said, even as he pointed out that representation of Muslims in several field including politics still remains minimal.
