Khamenei assassination protests: Owaisi terms I&B media advisory `selective censorship’

Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief and Hyderabad member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi has accused the Modi government of "blatant double standards" for issuing an advisory urging media houses to exercise "restraint" during nationwide protests over the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Owaisi labeled the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) advisory as a tool for selective censorship.

Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, Owaisi highlighted the immediate administrative response to the mourning processions in Srinagar, Kargil, Lucknow, and Bhopal. While the Centre moved to restrict internet speeds and seal locations like Lal Chowk to prevent "law and order issues," Owaisi pointed out a glaring lack of similar urgency when it comes to protecting India’s own Muslim citizens.

"This advisory exposes the Modi government’s selective conscience," Owaisi stated. "When it comes to managing a minority community’s grief for a foreign leader, the Centre finds its voice instantly. But where is the advisory for the domestic 'babas' who openly incite genocide against Muslims?" says Owaisi.

Three critical points

Owaisi raised three specific points of contention, challenging the government's "law and order is a state subject" defense:

The Immunity of 'Genocidal' Figures: Owaisi pointed to a prominent religious leader who has repeatedly violated bail conditions while delivering speeches calling for the genocide of Muslims. He questioned why no Central advisory has ever been issued to news channels to curb the broadcast of such inflammatory content.

State-Funded Anti-Constitutionalism: The MP expressed outrage over a government-funded conference that reportedly featured calls for the overthrow of the Indian Constitution. "The government funds events that attack our foundational document, yet issues no warnings to the media about the threat this poses to national integrity," he noted.

The Gaza Surge: Since the escalation of the conflict in Gaza in 2023, there has been a documented surge in anti-Muslim hate speech in India, often drawing direct parallels to the Middle East crisis. Owaisi argued that the Centre has consistently failed to counter this "parallel pandemic" of hate, instead shifting responsibility to state governments.

A Pattern of Selective Enforcement

Critics argue that the current mandate for "restraint" regarding Khamenei’s death is less about harmony and more about narrative control.

In Jammu and Kashmir, where an estimated 1.5 million Shias are in mourning, the deployment of security forces and internet throttling has been described by local leaders as an overreach. Owaisi emphasized that the government should focus on the 10 million Indian workers in the Gulf and regional stability rather than "policing the grief" of its own citizens while ignoring domestic radicalization.