December 2, 2024

Owaisi Factor in the North-Indian Politics

Owaisi factor in politics is worrying, because he uses secularism, as a convenient tool to promote communal politics.
Keywords: Owaisi | AIMIM | Communal | Secular | Politics | Hyderabad | Sardar Patel | Rajakars | Bihar | Elections | Constituency | Parliament | State | West Bengal | TRS | Ayodhya | Triple Talaq | Vote Bank   
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For a long time, AIMIM has been pigeon-holed to particular pockets in the Old City of Hyderabad. Now, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM has spread its tentacles in Maharashtra and Bihar states and would like to test waters in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. So, a huge commotion has started among the so-called secular parties and media about where this would lead to. In tightly fought Bihar election, Asaduddin Owaisi’s party won five- assembly seats and has nearly netted six percent of the Muslim vote in other constituencies effectively, which otherwise would have been gone to Mahagathbandhan. Like any other political party in India, AIMIM also has an expansionist desire. Nothing wrong per se but there are huge implications that are disastrous for the country.

The origin of Majlis-e- Ittehadul-Muslimeen i.e. MIM then, dates back pre-independence Nizam’s rule of Hyderabad state. The Nizam’s Government. and its strong-arm, the Razakars led by Quasim Razvi did not want to merge the Hyderabad state into Independent-India. Razakars made an armed struggle. There was mayhem everywhere. Many Hindus were killed and others panicked. By the timely Police Action of then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the Hyderabad State was liberated on 17th September 1948. Every year the state BJP celebrates the Hyderabad Liberation Day, whereas the ruling TRS Party in cahoots with MIM would not. As a matter of fact, Owaisi objects to it by saying that it would cause strife in the civil society.  

After independence, the first Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru granted recognition to the very Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen of Razakars, as a political party! The name that reminds the ghastly massacres was not changed. Asaduddin Owaisi though talks on all his T.V. shows about secularism and about respecting democratic values, the Constitution, diversity and the plurality of the country but he quintessentially supports archaic medieval personal law. That can be seen in his opposition to Uniform Civil Code, abolition of the triple talaq (talaqi-ibbidi) enacted by the present BJP-Govt, and his opposition to the Ayodhya Temple construction (being a vociferous member in All India Personal Law Board), Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NRC. To him, India was born in 1947. He has no connection with India’s pre-Islamic past or civilization. 

Owaisi cites the backwardness, poverty, unemployment etc. of the Muslim-community in India. He sought reservations in education and jobs for the Muslim-community in the state of Telangana and obtained them, though there are no religion-wise reservations in the Constitution. He studied in London, never educates his community on secular matters of family-planning, without which the resources of the country would get exhausted by rampant demographic growth. India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech eulogized Indians who limited their family to one or two kids, as patriotic citizens.    

For Owaisi’s narrative (of Muslims being poor and discriminated) to gain ground, there is a backdrop. All these years, since independence, the Congress party made Muslims in India believe that their safety and security depended on its own perpetuation in power. In due course, it started yielding to religious leaders in the community i.e. to mullahs and maulvis. The lives of the poor remained pathetically unchanged. In the BJP-led NDA, whatever pro-poor measures were taken up, such as the Ujjwala scheme, free gas cylinders, shadi-mubarak, Jan Dhan, DBT etc. reached the poor among  Muslims as well too for their uplift.  Now, the Congress and the other secular parties are feeling that Owaisi’s MIM is stealing their votes. That’s how they think of the loss of Seemanchal. 

The Congress plays different roles in different places. In Andhra Pradesh’s (united) legislative assembly, many times the Congress party allied with MIM. The Congress has no qualms about joining hands with the IUML in Kerala or the MIM in Hyderabad. In the South, the Congress does politics differently from the North. In Bihar and Maharashtra, the Congress or the other secular parties did not like to touch AIMIM with a barge pole. They did not want to hurt themselves with the majority of voters by aligning to a Muslim-party but they still garnered Muslim votes in the name of secularism. Strangely, in India, being associated with Muslims or seeking their votes is described as secular politics.

The Shah Bano and Ayodhya temple issues led to the downfall of Indian secular parties that always pandered and depended on Muslim votebanks. The Congress is facing a double whammy. On one side, the Hindus are unhappy with its Muslim vote bank politics and on the other side, the much-desired Muslim vote is taken away by the MIM. Be it as it may, this Owaisi factor in politics is worrying, because he uses secularism, as a convenient tool to promote communal politics. He says, he stands not for Muslims alone but also for Dalits and other backward groups, knowing pretty well that they can give him enough margin to win more seats. He joins with minor parties like the BSP and Kushwaha party in Bihar to increase his electoral tally. 

In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress is of the opinion that Assaddudin Owaisi is an Urdu-speaking Muslim who may not have much appeal for the Bengali-speaking Muslims. This argument defies both history and logic. They should mull on why other regional leaders could not come to North India to appeal and contest. The reason is that the states are mostly linguistically defined. Owaisi can make inroads outside his home turf because he represents a pan-Indian religion. The ogre of confessional identity politics that Mr. Owaisi is unleashing can harm national unity. To those who say he is an answer to BJP politics, it should be pointed out that the BJP’s agenda is cultural rather than religious like the  AIMIM’s.   

In the long run if the secular parties of India want to have ties with the AIMIM, they will have to pay a huge premium. AIMIM may bargain for reservations in education, jobs and seek proportional representation in state assemblies and parliament. This is nothing short of going back to the pre-Independence era with separate electorates which resulted in the country’s partition. So Owaisi’s rise is a cause for alarm among nationalist thinkers. 

26 comments

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  • The step taken by Owaisi is calculated owing to growing Muslim population and like any other political party would like spread. Clearly he is stepping into Jinnah’s shoes. His stand that it’s for the poor including Sc St & other minorities. Though it’s a fallacy he is putting all out efforts to gain power. The first blunder of recognising this a political party by Nehru . Secondly Congress & other political parties have allied with this party for minority appeasement which now led to this irony. Day will not be far when it becomes a major opposition party which will be disastrous for this country as clearly seen that the MIM main intention is to garner & unite Muslims on a single platform to have greater say in national politics . It’s playing divisive politics bad for the country. Unless a close watch is kept on the party may lead to undesirable situation. Keep a watch on its ill designss

  • This article exposes the anti national agenda of the Owaisis. To achieve their political ambitions, they have ensured that the old city of Hyderabad remains backward. I wish the muslim community sooner recognises their sinister designs and joins the mainstream of the nation for their all round development and welfare! Muslims in a Hindu nation have always been safer, happier an more prosperous than in any other muslim country!

  • It’s highly appreciated that someone has courage to talk about exploitive nature of secularism. Secularism is selfish goal of few parties like congress and other parties like AIIM…This exploitive nature is killing the country and its rich culture of staying together as one family. Aa author told it’s assassination of culture rather than religion. Only way is since,BJP is anyway blamed as pro Hindu culture, then why to get afraid , it should openly declare it’s stand about religion and let people decide …Also they work seriously toward cast,creed,religion less India, they should abolish all religions ,casts etc..first on paper …nowhere there should be any place to mention about cast,creed,religion etc…everything in India should devoid of these components. Then only , these forces who use cast, creed,relion for selfish gains will come to an end. That bold step should be initiated …then only democracy can be restored …The authors article is the first step in that direction. We should look for india free from any if these divisive concepts of cast,religion etc.

  • Indira, your article is thought provoking.
    Previously MIM is confined to combined AP but it is gradually spreading all over India. You are focusing on
    How political parties playing vote bank politics for winning in the election.
    Government benifit schemes should get to people depends on their finacial status but not on the other matters.

  • Kudos to the author for the well written article . MIMs international connections and its clandestine support deals with Outside elements like Rohingyas and Bangladeshi fanatics is too obvious to be ignored.
    As rightly said this communal outfit has a lot of nuisance value besides being a threat to National integration. It’s ominous pan India presence and pressure is currently seen and felt all across …though not on an all pervasive scale…but suffice it to say that eventually it can destroy the subtle fabric of national unity and hindu regeneration.

  • Totally agree with the writer’s point of view. Political expansionism based on religion rather than culture or Nation will certainly will make the Nation stand at the crossroads.

  • Situation now is different than what it was during INC rule. By and large rule of law is prevailing and secularism card hardly works. As contest by MIM in any place is helping BJP they would not bother. And in MIM there is no second ring leaders. It is again a family party now like INC. May be after few years it would disintegrate and there would not be any effect or affect of it.

  • In the guise of secularism as contemplated by the constitution the pseudo secularists are gaining footing in the garb of being minorities.Obviously the constitution makers did not foresee such a situation. As long as the vote bank politics rule the country unless there is an invisible strong hand which can rewrite the constitution.

  • In the guise of secularism as contemplated by the constitution the pseudo secularists are gaining footing in the garb of being minorities.Obviously the constitution makers did not foresee such a situation. As long as the vote bank politics rule the country unless there is an invisible strong hand which can rewrite the constitution there appears to be no respite.

  • Great! analysis Indira mam. I strongly agree with the statement” BJP agenda is cultural rather than religious like AIMIM’s.

  • As BJP moves further right the rise of MIM is also inevitable. As noted secular parties wouldn’t want to give the space for MIM to eat into their vote bank but in a country where the opposition is crying out for charismatic leaders he has an opening. Good summary.

  • Really detailed article with a good insight into the current political landscape and how it has unfolded in recent elections.

  • Owaisi’s intention of polarizing is well thought process to divide the communities for garner votes for his personal benefit. AIMIM is an organisation which is creating wealth for their own family members.Yes there was a success in Seemanchal but that does not mean he could be a trouble maker.Today all community people are aware of the happenings due to various media platforms and the benefits they avail from the Govt.Present Gen of Indians want the country to be united not divided…

  • It’s strange and funny minorities always conveniently advocate for democracy ,but their intension for their community only.

  • As said in the article, MIM is slowly spreading as national party and is trying to polarise votes from people of their community all over the nation.Then why do they keep saying BJP is polarising votes if they are ahead any where?Can’t we change their view and lead them towards nationalism. They say they are secular but is it really true?

  • Asad ud din owaisi a qualified lawyer, does study on constitution and keeps the members of parliament attentive driving out issues related to Article 370,secularism,democratic values,constitution etc remains stubborn on abolition of Triple Talaq that represents medieval personal law.
    Asad ud din owaisi considers Muslims originate from North and he favours Ashrafis and has contempt towards Pasmanda Muslims.
    Asad’s father sultan sala ud din owaisi comments: Siyasat humarey ghar ki laundi hai.
    Quasim Razvi, infamous for Razakars and their armed struggle and created mayhem against innocent natives of the majority community stated:
    India is a geographical nation. Hyderabad is a political reality.Are we prepared to sacrifice Hyderabad for the idea of India.
    Hyderabad is liberated on 17th September 1948 by the Indian Army known as ‘police Action’.Telangana as 29th state has to celebrate this day yet it is not. In this context ‘Sunderland report- Nehru Memorial Museum library, New Delhi’ has to be consulted.
    Asaduddin Owaisi and his father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi have reigned Hyderabad from 1984 as member of parliament yet old city still needs much as it holds no where a contentious position compared to its neighbouring regions in terms of industry or Other paraphernalia that is much needed for a city that has history of 400 plus years.
    Muslims in majority as stated by an independent survey were not favouring separate Telangana. AIMIM opted for ‘Rayalaseema Telangana’.
    Majority of Muslims favoured Mdrasas than for Telugu or English as medium of instruction in education and thus could not hype their fortunes in government services. Muslims who remain poor depend on AIMIM for loans on hefty interest and this party favours builders from Andhra region for their real estate and business concerns.
    AIMIM and its political behaviour sometimes reminds of Muslim league of the past times yet in the present context it has soft voice in aligning with political groups like BSP,Kushwaha party in Bihar and Prakash Ambedkar party in Maharashtra. They realised truly that so called secular parties are not meant for political gains in short as well long run as they always use and throw them soon after realisation of larger goals.Owaisi and his party made their political functionaries in Telangana,Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
    AIMIM and it’s demands: reservations in Employment as well education to drive out backwardness among the majority of the Muslims need laudable appreciation and from the times of Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and even during present regime of K. Chandrasekhar Rao of Telangana Rashtra Samithi yet these demands need the assent of Supreme Court.
    Proportional representation and its implementation is noteworthy as many countries have adopted it and this needs literate voters plus positive attitude of political parties who field their candidates and their virtuous background adds as a definite parameter and if this is genuinely implemented it may provide a consensus government yet a few parties that hold few seats may ruin the prospects of a strong governance that is expected by the electorate.
    A strong contention has been made by AIMIM related to fielding of the candidates for Local, Assmbly as well Loksabha elections where their members need a definite number to be fielded for the contest provided all parameters such as religion, education, employment, development etc are provided so that they may be elected and represent the people. Here ‘win ability’ factor is chosen and their plea was ignored and so AIMIM opts for ‘religion’ as main plank and this has virtually divided Hyderabad with ‘river Musi ‘ as border.
    AIMIM strongly opts for ‘separate electorates’ and this was promulgated by the English to hug the Muslims and corner others. Then it was Indian sub continent with huge number of princely states but it is oriented to a fixed number of states plus union territories and present Narendra Modi Government has solved contentious issues like Article 370 ; Ram Mandir and even other issues may remain critically poised for debates a clinical approach may be made provided and data may be collected whether it is congenial for present times or not.
    Present scenario is a stable government headed by non corrupt Prime Minister and his cabinet fully poised for a bold governance, efficient Defence fully armoured in Army, Navy, Airforce and planning system that holds no holes either in commerce, trade ,industries as well business plus efficient transport and ebullient technology whether hard ware or soft ware and this nation if is is able to sustain nothing is impossible and let us hope our country is able to sustain all these ingredients.

  • Asad ud din owaisi a qualified lawyer, does study on constitution and keeps the members of parliament attentive driving out issues related to Article 370,secularism,democratic values,constitution etc remains stubborn on abolition of Triple Talaq that represents medieval personal law.
    Asad ud din owaisi considers Muslims originate from North and he favours Ashrafis and has contempt towards Pasmanda Muslims.
    Asad’s father sultan sala ud din owaisi comments: Siyasat humarey ghar ki laundi hai.
    Quasim Razvi, infamous for Razakars and their armed struggle and created mayhem against innocent natives of the majority community stated:
    India is a geographical nation. Hyderabad is a political reality.Are we prepared to sacrifice Hyderabad for the idea of India.
    Hyderabad is liberated on 17th September 1948 by the Indian Army known as ‘police Action’.Telangana as 29th state has to celebrate this day yet it is not. In this context ‘Sunderland report- Nehru Memorial Museum library, New Delhi’ has to be consulted.
    Asaduddin Owaisi and his father Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi have reigned Hyderabad from 1984 as member of parliament yet old city still needs much as it holds no where a contentious position compared to its neighbouring regions in terms of industry or Other paraphernalia that is much needed for a city that has history of 400 plus years.
    Muslims in majority as stated by an independent survey were not favouring separate Telangana. AIMIM opted for ‘Rayalaseema Telangana’.
    Majority of Muslims favoured Mdrasas than for Telugu or English as medium of instruction in education and thus could not hype their fortunes in government services. Muslims who remain poor depend on AIMIM for loans on hefty interest and this party favours builders from Andhra region for their real estate and business concerns.
    AIMIM and its political behaviour sometimes reminds of Muslim league of the past times yet in the present context it has soft voice in aligning with political groups like BSP,Kushwaha party in Bihar and Prakash Ambedkar party in Maharashtra. They realised truly that so called secular parties are not meant for political gains in short as well long run as they always use and throw them soon after realisation of larger goals.Owaisi and his party made their political functionaries in Telangana,Maharashtra, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Uttarakhand.
    AIMIM and it’s demands: reservations in Employment as well education to drive out backwardness among the majority of the Muslims need laudable appreciation and from the times of Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and even during present regime of K. Chandrasekhar Rao of Telangana Rashtra Samithi yet these demands need the assent of Supreme Court.
    Proportional representation and its implementation is noteworthy as many countries have adopted it and this needs literate voters plus positive attitude of political parties who field their candidates and their virtuous background adds as a definite parameter and if this is genuinely implemented it may provide a consensus government yet a few parties that hold few seats may ruin the prospects of a strong governance that is expected by the electorate.
    A strong contention has been made by AIMIM related to fielding of the candidates for Local, Assmbly as well Loksabha elections where their members need a definite number to be fielded for the contest provided all parameters such as religion, education, employment, development etc are provided so that they may be elected and represent the people. Here ‘win ability’ factor is chosen and their plea was ignored and so AIMIM opts for ‘religion’ as main plank and this has virtually divided Hyderabad with ‘river Musi ‘ as border.
    AIMIM strongly opts for ‘separate electorates’ and this was promulgated by the English to hug the Muslims and corner others. Then it was Indian sub continent with huge number of princely states but it is oriented to a fixed number of states plus union territories and present Narendra Modi Government has solved contentious issues like Article 370 ; Ram Mandir and even other issues may remain critically poised for debates a clinical approach may be made provided and data may be collected whether it is congenial for present times or not.
    Present scenario is a stable government headed by non corrupt Prime Minister and his cabinet fully poised for a bold governance, efficient Defence fully armoured in Army, Navy, Airforce and planning system that holds no holes either in commerce, trade ,industries as well business plus efficient transport and ebullient technology whether hard ware or soft ware and this nation if is is able to sustain nothing is impossible and let us hope our country is able to sustain all these ingredients.

  • This article as suggested by the writer has all ingredients that are quite suitable for political party like AIMIM and its ideology.
    AIMIM has its origins from 1927 as MIM and now has built its base in several states and has enrolled its members in larger number and considers it self as patriarch of its community. It has fielded its members for local, assembly membership of few states and made its impact in a stronger sense that even so called secular parties in Maharashtra or Bihar consider that Muslims slowly are drifting away from their clutches and they even feel that down ward castes whether in Maharashtra or Bihar do pinch hope on these leaders.
    AIMIM views that it can continue its political tussle with religion as major plank and win and consolidate its base whether in West Bengal or elsewhere. In this context it’s plea is reservations need to be attributed so that based on population they may be represented whether it is Local, Assembly or for Lok sabha .
    AIMIM projects proportional representation and mooted this strongly so that political parties that stage and participate in the elections may secure a berth in the governance.
    Another contention that comes for present deliberation can India make its mind for ‘separate electorate’ based on religion and this proposition may not be wishing the people brighter morrow as they need to strengthen the nation and move this land a happier one for those who believe in ‘development’ in multiple aspects.
    AIMIM contention is to make their community fully abled in multiple sectors and compete with the fellow groups provided ‘reservation tag is added on the basis of religion in education and employment’ but this needs the assent of Supreme Court that guards the Indian constitution.
    AIMIM presently led by Asaduddin Owaisi May appear as tall figure in political scenario yet he needs the region which
    he represents need to be assessed on several parameters strong and viable compared to its neighbouring regions.
    Presently what people wish is that this political wing in future times shall not stoop down to those tactics that are earlier staged by Qasim Razvi or Muslim league led by M.A.Zinnah.

  • It’s really surprising to see that how vote-banks play major role and religion is used as a tool to realise ulterior motives…i.e., create divide between Hindus and Muslims in the name of secularism in one place and vote banks elsewhere… Opportunistic politics!

  • An excellent article and we’ll collected facts. It brings out the rise and spread of the party which is un desirable and throws light on the freightening future ahead if this is allowed to spread its wings.

Indira G.

Indira G is associated with the organisation Pragna Bharati, Hyderabad and is Incharge-Publications. She also contributes to Opindia and other news platforms.

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