After Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ remarks that he felt “proud and happy” when ‘kar sevaks’ brought down the Babri mosque in 1992, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on him saying that he held a constitutional post and called his comments “rubbish”.
“Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has said that it was a happy moment for him to be present in Ayodhya on December 6 (1992), when the Babri mosque was demolished. He is on a constitutional post and saying such things. Isn’t he inciting and provoking? Why didn’t he say this in the court?” Owaisi said.
“You are the CM of Maharashtra. All citizens must be equal to you, irrespective of one’s religion or caste. The CM and the deputy CM are speaking rubbish.”
VIDEO | “Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has said that it was a happy moment for him to be present in Ayodhya on December 6 (1992), when the Babri mosque was demolished. He is on a constitutional post and saying such things. Isn’t he inciting and provoking? Why didn’t he… pic.twitter.com/KNkonWnGRP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 3, 2024
Fadnavis, responding to the Opposition’s criticism that the BJP uses Ram Temple consecration ceremony for political gains, said, “Whoever believes in Ram, that person can participate in the ongoing celebration of the Ram temple inauguration.”
“Some people were never part of any movement associated with Ram temple. I participated in three ‘kar seva’ campaigns and feel proud and happy that I was there when the (Babri mosque) structure was brought down,” the deputy CM told reporters.
He was speaking after the inauguration of Ram Rath (chariot), a miniature model of the Ayodhya Ram temple, that will visit different areas for the people to see.
The AIMIM chief also sought to know the stand of the BJP-led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
Owasi further called the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) “unconstitutional” and said it is made on the basis of religion, a day after the Centre said rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 will be notified “much before” the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, reported PTI.
“CAA is anti-Constitution. It is a law which has been made on the basis of religion,” the Hyderabad MP said.
“CAA must be read with and understood with NPR-NRC which will lay down conditions to prove your citizenship of this country. And if that happens it will be a grave injustice, especially to the Muslims, to the Dalits and poor people of India, irrespective of the caste or religion they belong to,” he said reacting to a query on reports that CAA rules will be notified by the Centre.
“… You cannot make a law on the basis of religion and especially citizenship…to make a law you have to understand Citizen Amendment Act with NPR-NRC. You have to see those conditions which have been put there…this will be a grave disaster,” Owaisi added.
