CINEHIND

Breaking News

UN chief's spokesperson hopes India and Pakistan will exploit the ceasefire to address "outstanding concerns."

Owaisi Criticizes BJP for Omitting “Minorities” from Manifesto, Alleges Discrimination

Kalyani Jha
18 Apr, 2024

Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for excluding the term “minorities” from its manifesto and using “marginalized” instead, accusing the party of harboring animosity towards minority communities. Owaisi expressed his concerns after observing the BJP’s advertisement in various newspapers on April 17.

In his remarks to PTI, Owaisi highlighted the absence of the term “minorities” in the BJP’s manifesto, emphasizing that the word holds constitutional significance in India. He pointed out that while the Constitution recognizes minorities, the BJP’s deliberate omission of this term indicates its aversion towards acknowledging the rights and concerns of minority groups, particularly Muslims.

Furthermore, Owaisi raised issues regarding education, noting that Dalits and Muslims face higher rates of school dropouts. He attributed this trend partly to the policies and actions of the BJP, suggesting that the party’s approach has contributed to the educational challenges faced by these communities.

Owaisi urged voters to consider these critical issues before casting their votes, highlighting concerns about threats to the Constitution, increasing intolerance towards minorities, and the persistently high unemployment rates across the nation. He also emphasized the importance of evaluating economic growth in terms of per capita income, cautioning against superficial metrics of progress.

Additionally, Owaisi announced AIMIM’s support for Prakash Ambedkar, the leader of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), who is contesting from the Akola Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra. This move underscores AIMIM’s commitment to supporting leadership from marginalized communities and advocating for their representation in governance.

As Owaisi seeks re-election from Hyderabad, where he faces BJP’s K Madhavi Latha, his statements reflect a broader discourse on inclusivity, representation, and social justice in the political landscape.