'Muslim-phobia': Waris Pathan Slams BJP After Mumbai Police Tells Actor Imran Khan to 'Leave India'
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan accuses BJP of Muslim-phobia after Mumbai Police tells actor Imran Khan to leave India following a protest.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan has launched a scathing attack on the BJP following a controversial notice issued by the Mumbai Police to actor Imran Khan, directing him to leave the country. The notice, which orders the actor to depart by October 28, comes after his participation in a CJP-led protest at August Kranti Maidan, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Allegations of 'Muslim-phobia'
Speaking to ANI, Waris Pathan alleged that the action against the actor—who is the nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and reportedly holds an American passport—is a clear reflection of "Muslim-phobia" prevalent among BJP supporters. Pathan claimed that individuals are being targeted specifically because of their Muslim identity.
"These BJP's hateful people have developed a Muslim phobia," Pathan stated. "Whenever they see someone with a Muslim name, they become enraged. They hate mosques, madrasas, our daughters' hijabs and burqas, and even the name Khan."
Singling Out the Actor
Pathan questioned why Imran Khan was being singled out when numerous other individuals with different names participated in the same protest. He argued that the focus on the actor was purely based on his surname, drawing a parallel to previous incidents involving others with similar names, such as Ayesha Khan.
While acknowledging that the actor's citizenship status is a separate legal matter, Pathan emphasized the fundamental right to dissent. He questioned whether the authorities had read Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful protest.
Concerns Over Democratic Rights
The AIMIM leader further highlighted the growing trend of young people protesting against government policies across the nation, asking if these citizens were being viewed as terrorists for simply expressing their unhappiness.
- On Development: Pathan mocked the government's slogans of "development for all" and "trust for all," questioning if the same uproar would have occurred if the actor's name had been "Inderjeet."
- On Legal Harassment: He alleged that Muslims face severe repercussions, including the imposition of the UAPA and long periods of incarceration without trial.
- On Selective Justice: Pathan contrasted this with the treatment of RSS-affiliated individuals, claiming they often receive bail within a day despite allegations of violence and vandalism.
Charges of Authoritarianism
Pathan also raised concerns regarding the treatment of students, citing instances where individuals were sent to judicial custody for five days simply for hoisting the national Tricolour. He described such actions as symptoms of "dictatorship and authoritarianism."
Concluding his remarks, the leader maintained that while the Constitution is designed to protect the rights of everyone, the current government's actions are a manifestation of their own apprehension and nervousness.