Asad: Centre has to prove its sincerity

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said that the genuineness of the Central government’s attempt to reach out to Muslims can only be proven if it imposes a ban on ‘gau-rakshaks’.

Mr Owaisi was reacting to the government's move to launch ‘progress panchayats’ for Minorities from Thursday in Mewat of Haryana to build confidence among Muslims and other sections of the society.

Speaking to the media at the MIM headquarters here, the MP said, “Mere holding of panchayats will not help the community. If the Modi government is really concerned about empowering Muslims, it should implement the recommendations of a Parliamentary standing committee and provide scholarships, both preand post-matric, to Muslims.

“Empowerment of Muslims is the constitutional duty of the Centre, the Modi government is doing any favour to the community,” Mr Owaisi said.

Reminding of the rape of two Muslim females, including a minor, and murder of two Muslim youths on allegations of beef consumption, he said, “Let’s wait and see what the government tells the villagers during the panchayat.”

Mr Owaisi said that the PM must prove his sincerity by curbing statements of RSS and BJP leaders that hurt the sentiments of the Minorities.

“If at all the government wants to hold panchayats, it should start from J&K, as there is an urgent need to reach out to the Kashmiris and talk to them since around 90 youths have been killed and peace remains shattered for nearly three months in the state,” the MP said.

He said that when the Bombay High Court ordered 5 per cent reservations to Muslims in Maharashtra, the BJP government there did not implement the order.