Asaduddin Owaisi accuses BJP of ignoring real ‘threats', focusing only on illegal immigration
Addressing a public rally in Maharashtra's Parbhani, Mr. Owaisi said the Union Government was overlooking significant geopolitical developments along India's eastern frontier, particularly the growing defence cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan, as well as reports of a Chinese airbase being constructed near the Bangladesh border.
'They keep talking about Bangladeshi people settling in India illegally. They (BJP) even claim that Bangladeshis have reached Parbhani. Let me tell them — no Bangladeshi will dare to come to Parbhani,' he said. 'Instead of talking about the development of Parbhani, creating jobs, improving healthcare, or addressing recent murder cases, this government is busy dividing people on religious lines, inciting riots, and demolishing mosques. If PM Modi and the BJP dream of colouring Bharat into one colour, let me remind them, India was a multi-colour and diverse country and will remain one.'
Questioning the response of the Union Home Ministry and the security establishment to regional developments, Mr. Owaisi asked, 'What are Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the intelligence agencies, and the BSF doing in response to real strategic threats from the borders?'
He alleged that the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus in Dhaka had intensified military ties with Islamabad, including joint naval exercises and diplomatic outreach. 'If war breaks out, it will be fought on three fronts,' Mr. Owaisi said, referring to the potential combined threat from Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh. 'Yet BJP leaders continue to harp on illegal immigration without addressing these growing regional risks.'
Language policy row
Mr. Owaisi also criticised the Maharashtra government over the recent controversy regarding the now-withdrawn three-language policy in schools. He said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was compelled to revoke two government resolutions that proposed making Hindi a compulsory third language, following resistance from pro-Marathi groups.
Reiterating his party's support for linguistic diversity, he said, 'India's identity rests on its plurality — of language, culture, and thought. The RSS wants one language, one culture, and one ideology. If that happens, India will cease to be a democracy and turn into a dictatorship.'
Also read | Language of unity: On Maharashtra and the issue of Hindi
'We love our languages and will continue to protect the multi-hued identity of this country,' he added.
Support for Maratha quota agitation
Mr. Owaisi extended support to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange, stating that the campaign to include the Maratha community under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category reflects a larger demand for social justice.
'This is a question of fairness and equality,' he said. 'We support every movement that seeks to ensure justice for disadvantaged groups.'
Mr. Owaisi's remarks come amid heightened political activity in Maharashtra ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, where issues of language, identity, and reservation have taken centre stage.
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