'Prophet Muhammad is the heart of Islam': Asaduddin Owaisi seeks action against Nupur Sharma

Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday condemned suspended Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal for their alleged objectionable remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

Additionally, he urged Muslims to introspect whether or not they are living according to the Quran's teachings. If the youth don't want to move towards their own destruction, they should stop playing video games, going to bars, drinking alcohol, and behaving badly with girls and women, said Owaisi.

In Darussalam, Hyderabad, Owaisi addressed a gathering at a public meeting titled 'Jalsa Azmat-e-Mustafa' organised by United Muslim Action Committee. Notably, Owaisi leads the United Muslim Action Committee.

"We have gathered here to register our protest against Nupur Sharma's remarks on Prophet Muhammad," said Owaisi.

"I condemn Nupur Sharma's remarks on Prophet Muhammad. Thanks to Indian Muslims for their support...Nupur Sharma's remarks are condemnable, and people ask me why I have so much trouble. A woman co-passenger on a flight told me that I give sharp speeches. Eventually, I was asked why we were so agitated. I asked that if anybody spoke negatively about your mother, would you remain silent. The Prophet's wife is the mother of our mothers, how can we keep silent about her?" said Owaisi.

The AIMIM chief further said that the Prophet said "we should pray to Allah and we are doing so...Prophet Muhammad was socially boycotted for three years by the people of Makkah. The prophet is like our heart. If you cut my fingers, I will take it; if you hurt me, I will take it; but if you want to come close to my heart, I will not stand by and keep quiet".

"Prophet Muhammad is the heart of our Islam," said Owaisi.

Hitting out at the BJP for "safeguarding" Nupur Sharma, Owaisi said they have been requesting the BJP as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against Nupur Sharma but "he does not speak". The AIMIM filed a complaint in Hyderabad and an FIR has been lodged.

He further urged the Commissioner of Police and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to send police to Delhi and "bring 'Mohatarama' (Nupur Sharma)", asking: "Is it not possible to bring her with you?"

Talking about the arrest of a 19-year-old man earlier this week, Owaisi said Akram Ali (a resident of Tetaria village under Khajni police station limits) was taken into custody for allegedly distorting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's picture and removing it. He further mentioned the case of Brijesh Yadav of Ballia district, who was allegedly arrested for sharing a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after 52 days of demonetisation.

"You need to arrest Nupur Sharma. If anything is said about PM Modi and UP CM Yogi, they will send those people to jail. Nupur Sharma was heard by 20 crores Muslims, and you do not want to send her to jail," said Owaisi.

Moreover, he asked the PM to contact his "childhood friend" Abbas ji and ask him what Asaduddin Owaisi says. "If he comes, then he will affirm what Asaduddin says is true," said Owaisi. Notably, the Prime Minister recently remembered his childhood friend Abbas and how his mother treated him just like her own son. The PM recalled in a blog that Abbas is the son of his father's friend.

"After his untimely death, my father brought his friend's son, Abbas, to our home. He stayed with us and completed his studies...Mother was as affectionate and caring towards Abbas just like she did for all of us siblings. Every year on Eid, she used to prepare his favourite dishes. On festivals, it was commonplace for neighbourhood kids to come to our house and enjoy mother's special preparations," wrote the PM.

Owaisi also mocked the ruling government's campaign slogan, stating: "Acche din yeh hain ki you have reduced Army, Navy, Air Force recruitment to four years".

"We want action according to the Constitution...In the coming six and seven months, Nupur Sharma may become an important leader. In fact, Nupur Sharma may be selected as Delhi's CM candidate," said Owaisi.

The AIMIM chief further asked why the residence of Afreen Fatima in Prayagraj was demolished. "Why did you do that? It was because her father organised a protest. The principles of natural justice form the basis of the Constitution. But who will decide? Only the court can decide if he organised the protest or not. The court will do justice and will not punish his family."

Javed Mohammad, Afreen Fatima's father, is a key accused in the Prayagraj violence that broke out over remarks made by Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal about Prophet Muhammad. On June 12, bulldozers demolished Afreen's "illegally constructed house" in Prayagraj, where she lived with her family.

"Is this your justice?" Owaisi asked.

He also took aim at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, claiming that the Sangh Parivar played no role in the independence of India. "Our elders fought for our freedom," said Owaisi.

"When we say anything, they are going to say go to Pakistan, why do you love Pakistan so much," asked the AIMIM chief.