All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi has addressed the long-standing controversy regarding the practice of offering Namaz on public roads. His remarks come in the wake of recent directives, including those from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the occasion of Bakrid, which explicitly stated that Namaz shouldn't be performed on the streets. Owaisi argued that if the administration finds the use of public roads for Namaz unacceptable, then the same logic and legal framework must be applied to the celebrations and religious events of all other faiths without exception.
Demand for Uniform Standards Across All Religions
The AIMIM chief emphasized that the rules and laws formulated for road Namaz should be implemented equally across all religious activities and programs. He stated that there shouldn't be separate criteria for one community while another is treated differently. According to Owaisi, a single, uniform standard must be adopted for everyone to ensure fairness and equality in a secular nation. He questioned why specific communities are often singled out when it comes to the use of public spaces for religious purposes.
Allegations of Marginalizing the Muslim Community
Speaking to journalists at the AIMIM headquarters in Hyderabad on Friday, May 29, Owaisi alleged that there is a systematic attempt to push Muslims to the margins and treat them as second-class citizens in the country. He categorically stated that if offering Namaz on the road is considered wrong, then the organization of festivals for every religion on the roads should also be deemed wrong. He insisted that this principle must apply to all religions, ensuring that festivals and religious activities are governed by the same set of regulations.
The Debate Over Public Space and Religious Freedom
Owaisi further elaborated that if road Namaz is viewed as an obstruction or a violation, then all religious processions, festivals, and other public programs held on the streets should face the same scrutiny. He expressed concern over the targeting of a particular community regarding the utilization of public areas. He also raised a poignant question about the duration of Namaz, asking how much time it actually takes on the road compared to other lengthy public events. He reaffirmed that India belongs to Muslims as much as anyone else and that they will continue to fight for their issues through democratic means.
Comparison of Meat Shop Closures and Liquor Sales
In a sharp critique of current practices, Owaisi mentioned that if there are demands to close meat shops during certain festivals, then all liquor shops should also be closed for the entire 30 days of the month of Ramadan. He argued for equal treatment of all communities in religious matters, suggesting that if one community's sentiments are respected through commercial restrictions, the same should apply to others. This comparison was aimed at highlighting what he perceives as a lack of parity in administrative decisions.
Questions Raised on Rising Fuel Prices
Beyond religious issues, the AIMIM chief also questioned the Central Government and oil companies regarding the hike in fuel prices, while he noted that while various factors like disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affect prices, Indian companies have Importantly profited from the import of cheaper oil from Russia. Owaisi demanded that the Central Government be held accountable for these profits and called for transparency to reduce the burden of increasing fuel expenses on the general public. He stressed that the common man shouldn't have to bear the brunt of high costs while companies enjoy high margins.