Hyderabad, December 23: After actor Naseeruddin Shah, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslmeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed Pakistan PM Imran Khan for preaching tolerance to India. Owaisi asked Khan to learn something from India about minority rights. The AIMIM chief tweeted, “According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics and minority rights.”
Earlier in the day, while replying to the Pakistan PM’s comments, Shah advised Khan to concentrate on the issues faced by Pakistan. He further added that India is a democratic country and could look after itself. The Bollywood actor told the newspaper Sunday Express, “I think Mr Khan should be walking the talk in his own country instead of commenting on issues that don’t concern him. We have been a democracy for 70 years, and we know how to look after ourselves.”
According to the Pakistani Constitution, only a Muslim is qualified to be President. India has seen multiple Presidents from oppressed communities. It's high time Khan sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics & minority rights.https://t.co/qarmZkqdhH
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 23, 2018
Shah stirred controversy on December 20, when he said he fears for his children in India of today. In a short YouTube video put up by Karwan-e-Mohabbat India, Naseeruddin Shah imagines a situation when a furious mob surrounds his children and asks about their faith. "My children will have no answer.” However, a day after his comments, Shah gave clarification on his remarks. He said, “ What I said earlier was as a worried Indian. What did I say this time that I am being termed as a traitor? I am expressing concerns about the country I love, the country that is my home. How is that a crime?”
Yesterday, referring to the veteran actor’s comments, the Pakistan PM said that the treatment meted out towards Indian Muslims validated the fears of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Addressing an event to highlight the 100-day achievements of the Punjab government in Lahore, Khan also condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of failing to take steps to provide a secure environment for the marginalised sections of the population.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2018 05:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).