Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 16 (ANI): AIMIM leader Waris Pathan on Thursday criticised the BJP over the controversy surrounding a Mumbai Police notice directing actor Imran Khan to ‘leave India’ following his participation in the CJP-led protest at August Kranti Maidan, alleging that the reaction reflected what he described as “Muslim-phobia” among BJP supporters.
His remarks were followed by the Mumbai police, which issued a ‘Leave India’ notice to actor Khan, nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, directing him to leave the country by October 28. As per reports, Imran Khan holds an American passport.
The actor had participated in a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking to ANI while reacting to the controversy, Pathan alleged that people associated with the BJP targeted individuals because of their Muslim identity and objected to Muslim names, mosques, madrasas, and the hijab and burqa worn by Muslim women.
“These BJP’s hateful people have developed a Muslim phobia. Whenever they see someone with a Muslim name, they become enraged. They hate mosques, madrasas, our daughters’ hijabs and burqas, and even the name Khan. The moment they see the names of a mosque or a madrasa, they get furious and start making baseless remarks,” Pathan said.
He questioned why Imran Khan was being singled out for participating in the protest, claiming that several other people had also taken part.
“We saw other faces at this protest as well. We saw people with different names. But because his name is Khan, they have targeted him. First, they did this with Ayesha Khan, and now they have done it with Imran Khan,” he said.
He added, “Whether Imran is a citizen or not is a separate matter, but why do you need to say that Imran, Irfan or Yusuf will not be allowed to participate? The Constitution gives people the right to hold peaceful protests. Have they ever read Article 19?”
He further said people had the right to protest peacefully if they disagreed with government policies, adding that young people and others across the country were also participating in demonstrations.
“People are protesting because they are unhappy with certain government policies. Young people in the country are protesting, and others are doing so as well. Were these people terrorists? Were they terrorists that you would come out and make such irresponsible remarks?” Pathan said.
“You talk about development for all and trust for all, and say you will make India a developed country. But you see a Muslim name and react with hatred. If his name had been Inderjeet, would there have been such an uproar?” he further said.
“This is why I always say that bullets will be fired at us, batons will be used against us, and we will be abused. Laws such as the UAPA will be imposed on us, and we will be put in jail for six years without trial. This is what happens to us,” he added.
He contrasted this with what he alleged was lenient treatment of people associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing them of abusing children and women and engaging in violence and vandalism.
“People associated with the RSS abuse children and women, attack people, and damage property. The Delhi Police detain them, but they get bail within a day and come out making videos and boasting about what they have done,” Pathan alleged.
He also questioned the police response to protesters who hoist the national flag, claiming that some were remanded to five days of judicial custody.
“A student hoists the Tricolour, and he is sent to judicial custody for five days. What is this? If this is not dictatorship and authoritarianism, then what is it?” he said.
Pathan maintained that the Constitution protects the rights of citizens and alleged that the government’s actions reflected apprehension and nervousness.
“The Constitution protects everyone’s rights, but the government’s apprehension and nervousness are reflected in these actions,” he said. (ANI)
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