Now All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has also jumped in the ongoing Hanuman Chalisa controversy in Maharashtra. Owaisi on Saturday claimed that it would be unfair for him to say that he wants to offer Namaz in front of the Prime Minister’s residence.
Owaisi’s remarks came days after the arrest of Independent MP from Amravati Navneet Rana and her MLA husband Ravi Rana. Navneet Rana had threatened to read Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree, the private residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. However, he later canceled his plan.
Talking about the sedition charges against MP Navneet Rana and her husband MLA Ravi Rana, Owaisi said, “The Supreme Court is closely probing it (sedition charge). The couple should have avoided challenging Uddhav Thackeray to recite Hanuman Chalisa.
Owaisi also targeted Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut. Owaisi said Sanjay Raut should not drag me into this controversy. They should not mention my name as ‘Hindu Owaisi’ to provoke Raj Thackeray. This is an internal matter of the Thackeray family. They should try to find a solution for this.
Owaisi accused Raj Thackeray of “institutionalizing hate” and said the Muslim community was being punished collectively. Addressing a gathering in Aurangabad, Asasuddin Owaisi said, ‘Hate is being institutionalized by the BJP. Raj Thackeray is only promoting this institutionalization of hatred. The Muslim community is being punished collectively.