All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has termed Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis' remark about feeling proud to be present when the Babri Masjid was brought down as an endorsement of a criminal act.
The remarks came after Fadnavis expressed pride in being present when the Babri structure was brought down on December 6, 1992.
Owaisi took to X to criticize the Maharashtra leaders, linking their statements to the recent civil and criminal judgments related to the Babri mosque. He argued that such judgments may have emboldened individuals to target Muslim places of worship, and he expressed concern over elected officials taking a constitutional oath yet showing no hesitation in endorsing such acts.
Owaisi tweeted, "Maharashtra CM & Deputy CM are openly celebrating criminal acts and inciting people to commit crime. This is the direct result of the civil & criminal Babri judgements."
"The judgements may have emboldened such acts. Men who have taken a constitutional oath feel no shame in targeting Muslim places of worship," Owaisi wrote on X.
In response to the opposition's criticism that the BJP is using the Ram temple inauguration for its political benefits, Fadnavis defended his participation in the 'kar seva' campaigns related to the Ram temple and expressed pride in being present during the demolition of the Babri mosque structure.
He also emphasized that those who believe in Lord Ram have the right to participate in the ongoing celebrations of the Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya, scheduled for January 22. He asserted that he feels happy about the Ayodhya Ram temple inauguration taking place at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This exchange of statements has sparked a heated debate on the role of political leaders in endorsing or celebrating controversial historical events and the potential implications on communal harmony.