Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi says “alienation of people” and “lack of governance” has led to the current problem in Kashmir. “Alienation is the biggest thing. Human rights violations are happening over there”, he alleged. The three-time Member of Parliament also said in an interview to The Hindu that “Kashmir is a part of India's foreign policy.” Edited excerpts:
What is your comment on the current situation in Kashmir?
Owaisi: More than 30 people have died there in the last two-three days. There is a huge alienation of people. No governance. After Mufti Saheb 's (former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed) death, months were taken to form a government. Why did you take such a huge time to form a government when you (BJP) are in power.
What is the most important issue in Kashmir?
Alienation is the biggest thing. When Mufti Saheb died, only few thousand people were present at his 'Namaz-e-Jamaaza' (funeral prayers). On the same day, a militant's 'Namaz-e-Jamaaza' was held and more than 40,000 people were there. Whenever militants were killed, you see a sea of heads attending (their) 'Namaz-e-Jamaaza'. What does that say?
What do you say?
It clearly shows there is huge disconnect (between the people and government), alienation and this not good.
Is MIM going to address this issue of alienation?
This is for the party in power to take the lead.
What do you say about the BJP government at the Centre?
More than two years have passed since the BJP came to power. They came to power because of the mis-governance, corruption and high price rise, which the previous government could not control. However, in the last two years, price rise has not been controlled, the economy has not been revived in real terms and the promise made by the BJP that it will provide jobs to 1.5 crore youth and unemployed has not been fulfilled.
With regard to providing reservation to Muslims, there is a great paradox. The BJP wanted to provide reservation to Jats in Haryana and enacted legislation to this effect. The State High Court rejected legislation. In Maharashtra, the Mumbai High Court upheld reservation to the 50-odd backward castes of Muslims in education but not implemented. Then the State government went ahead and implemented beef ban even though the High Court passed an order stating that you can get beef from outside (the State), you can consume and you can transport it.
When it comes to foreign policy, we don't know what is our policy on Kashmir.
Is Kashmir covered under foreign policy?
It is a part of (our) foreign policy. We don't know what is our policy on Pakistan. The Prime Minister attends the marriage in the household of the Prime Minister of Pakistan and there is no progress. Then the Pathankot (attack) happens. Now, we see what is happening in Kashmir. There were huge floods in Kashmir and the Union Government had not come forward to help those people who lost everything in those floods.
You have vehemently condemned ISIS and at the same time offered to extend legal support to the ISIS suspects. What do you say?
Legal aid is a part of the Fundamental Rights of our Constitution. Giving legal aid or not will not prove anyone guilty or innocent. The courts, on the basis of evidence, will decide who is guilty and who is not. They (suspects) are facing a grave criminal charge which the courts will decide. But that should not stop me from condemning ISIS, which I have been doing from the last two years. I am one of the few Muslim leaders who has been condemning ISIS consistently.
Are you against implementation of Uniform Civil Code?
My question is there are 16 Directive Principles in the Indian Constitution. Why don't we have a debate on how to implement the 16 principles, why only one? Secondly, one of the Directive Principles says impose prohibition. Will you do it? Do you understand that a country like Sri Lanka has different personal law for Muslims? Also, Scotland and England have two different criminal legal systems. Diversity is the strength of this country. How can you bring in one culture and one code in a country like India where people speak 100 different languages and has thousands of cultures.
You have also declared that you will never say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'...
The law does not tell me that I should utter something. I am happy to say 'Jai Hind' and 'Hindustan Zindabad'. I am not breaking the law. Who have given them the right to question my nationalism. Unfortunately, today only if you subscribe the ideology of Sangh Parivar, you are a nationalist. Whoever opposes them will become anti-national. No more 'A' for apple, now it is 'A' for anti-national. May be they will add Asad anti-national law (laughs).
What is the MIM's strategy for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls next year? Will it have any alliance with other political parties?
I am open for an alliance in UP. If such a proposal comes to us, we will definitely consider it. I am the only political leader who is not being allowed to hold a single public meeting in UP. This shows that they (the ruling Samajwadi Party) don't have regard for freedom of expression. I want people of India to take notice of this. Every political party can hold their public meetings.
The Bajrang Dal can hold an arms training camp and RSS can hold their 'Shakas' but the MIM can't hold a public meeting. That is why I am forced to move around in a car for 300-400 km a day to just meet people and strengthen my party.
