#IAmAsadOwaisi trending on Twitter, crosses 1 lakh tweets

Hyderabad: The recent verdict on the Ayodhya-Babri Masjid dispute was received with mixed reactions from politicians across spectrums. However, Hyderabad’s MP and AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi stood out for his visible dissent against the judgement. In a press conference held in Hyderabad on November 12, he lashed out against the Supreme Court and the subsequent “silence” of opposition parties that claim to be secular in ideology. Following this, #IAmAsadOwaisi has been trending on Twitter.

As of now, #IAmAsadOwaisi is trending and has crossed over 1 lakh tweets. Excerpts from his press conference are widely shared by netizens, especially by those from Hyderabad.

In the press conference, a visibly indignant Owaisi questioned the judgement by saying that the 50-year long struggle of Indian Muslims was for justice. “Muslims in India have been waiting for justice. Our fight was for a masjid, not for a five-acre piece of land. We don’t want this — this donation, this bheekh, these crumbs which are given to us,” said Owaisi.

“For the last 50 years, we have been patiently fighting this case in the court of law. Efforts were put in by AIPMLB (All India Muslim Personal Law Board). Why did these top lawyers fight for us all these years?” questioned the AIMIM president.

Owaisi also vehemently criticised the stance of other political parties in this issue. Naming each of them, he said, “All the secular parties, their mouths are shut. Congress, NCP, BSP, Samajwadi Party, TMC, RJD, Telugu Desam — everyone’s silent. Even yours is a majoritarian agenda, not to strengthen India’s pluralism.”

The Supreme Court’s verdict is a personal attack on Indian Muslims, by relegating them as second-class citizens, according to the Hyderabad MP. “I pray from a masjid from 1528 onwards, and you stop me from praying in 1949, and then you say ‘here’s a piece of land’? No, please don’t demean me. This was a legal fight for the masjid. Even the Supreme Court agreed that the masjid had been demolished. I appeal to the people of this nation; if they are the true citizens of this country, please try to understand what we are trying to say. This nation is turning into a Hindu nation. If this country stands for a religion, then it’s bad for the majority community only,” argued Owaisi.

On November 11, a complaint had been lodged in Jahangirabad, Bhopal, against Owaisi for his comments on the verdict. The Sunni Waqf board had also clarified that they will not submit a review petition questioning the Supreme Court verdict.

We stand with great leader (@asadowaisi)sb #IAmAsadOwaisi pic.twitter.com/sP7GS1nvIs

— FaizanRajput (@faizanrajput403) November 12, 2019