Mumbai, September 1: Abu Azmi, a leader of the Samajwadi Party, expressed his views on various issues in an interview with a news agency on Tuesday. He lamented that Muslims in India are facing increasing hostility. “There is an attempt to create divisions over our religious matters. The Constitution grants us rights, and we are here in India with dignity and strength. However, under the current government, our power has diminished,” he stated.
Azmi highlighted the disparity in treatment between different religious groups. “Consider this: people of other religions can act freely, but if we pray outside a mosque, we face legal action. Many of our important documents get confiscated. The statements made by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh are alarming. Daily, there are insinuations that if you want to wear a burqa, you must go to Pakistan. Muslims are being advised to avoid any dealings or relationships with others. How many such incidents can I recount? The situation has escalated beyond tolerance,” he remarked.
He emphasized the significance of the burqa in their faith. “The Chief Minister must understand that wearing a burqa is mandatory for us, as stated in the Constitution. It is written that women should cover themselves from head to toe when they leave home. If we are to live in India, can we disregard the teachings of Sharia? This is not possible. If there are concerns about theft under the burqa, call a female police officer to check; no one will stop you. You cannot force someone off the street in this manner. This is fundamentally wrong. I will discuss this with the Chief Minister. We must decide how long we will endure oppression,” he asserted.
Azmi also shared his thoughts on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating that he holds a significant position as the leader of the opposition. “The filing of cases over trivial matters shows that the government is anxious. However, no one dares to confront the BJP. They can say anything about Muslims without facing consequences. I believe the opposition should fight back vigorously,” he added.
He expressed concern for the Dalit community as well. “Even today, atrocities against Dalits continue. The spirit of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar must be weeping. It is regrettable that the national president of Congress undergoes purification rituals when visiting certain places. While the world progresses, caste discrimination still persists in India. I urge my Dalit brothers to be vigilant. They want to abolish your reservations, but they will not succeed because they lack the strength. They wish to see you in your old conditions,” he stated.
Azmi also voiced worries about India’s economic situation. “The national debt is continuously rising. The conditions in BJP-ruled states are deteriorating. How can we believe that GDP is increasing when the poor are becoming poorer? Many still struggle to find two meals a day. The situation for Dalits and minorities remains dire. You cannot assess the entire GDP based on a few individuals. This approach is dragging the country backward,” he said.
He reacted to the rising prices of milk, stating, “Children are being deprived of milk. The prices of CNG and other essentials are increasing, yet wages remain stagnant. The government makes grand promises, but the common man’s life is increasingly challenging.”
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