Top News

Owaisi's Strong Rebuttal to Modi's Remarks

The leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Asaduddin Owaisi, has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for lauding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) during his Independence Day speech, labeling it a severe insult to India's freedom struggle. Owaisi emphasized that the RSS never participated in the fight for independence and argued that the organization harbored more animosity towards freedom fighters than the British did. He contended that the RSS has consistently opposed inclusive nationalism.

During a press conference, Owaisi stated that Modi's praise for the RSS in his Independence Day address is a profound disrespect to the freedom struggle, as the RSS remained in the shadows of the British. He pointed out that the RSS despised freedom fighters, including Gandhi, more than they did the British. Owaisi criticized the RSS for its persistent opposition to the inclusive nationalism that was foundational to the freedom fighters' struggle for independence. He further asserted that the RSS's Hindutva ideology contradicts the Constitution. Owaisi condemned the Prime Minister's endorsement of an organization that spreads 'hatred' as 'wrong.'

Owaisi argued that the Hindutva ideology is fundamentally at odds with the Indian Constitution. He mentioned that he refrained from commenting when Modi first visited the RSS headquarters, recognizing him as a lifelong volunteer. However, he expressed concern over Modi praising the RSS as Prime Minister, labeling it a group that incites hatred in the country. He questioned the absence of the RSS in significant movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Civil Disobedience Movement, and the Quit India Movement, asking, 'Do you see the RSS in any of these?'

Referring to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of the Hindu Mahasabha, Owaisi noted that the RSS's oath speaks solely of one community's religion, society, and culture. He recalled that in 1941, when Mukherjee was a minister in the Bengal Cabinet, Fazlul Haq was the cabinet's head, who presented the Pakistan resolution at the Lahore session in March 1940. Owaisi remarked that it is troubling that the Prime Minister speaks of such figures. He reiterated that they have always philosophically opposed the BJP and will continue to do so, asserting that Modi's praise for the RSS is misguided.