Angered at AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s refusal to utter ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, Mohammad Imam — representing the Muslim community — wrote ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ in blood on India’s map at Meerut’s Bachcha Park crossing.

MEERUT: Angered at All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s refusal to utter ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, Mohammad Imam — representing the Muslim community — wrote ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ in blood on India’s map at Meerut’s Bachcha Park crossing on Thursday afternoon. Imam and his supporters further said that Islam doesn’t stop them from chanting pro-India slogans and that Owaisi is making such remarks to gain political mileage.

“Saying Bharat Mata Ki Jai is equivalent to hailing the land, women, children, sisters and soldiers of India. The remark of Owaisi is completely anti-national and is not acceptable. The posters of Owaisi have BR Ambedkar’s pictures along with him. I would like to ask Owaisi: is this what Baba Ambedkar taught him?” said Mohd Imam, who is also the district vice-president of Congress.

Blood was drawn out from Imam’s wrist with the help of a syringe and the Muslim community then wrote ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ on three maps of India that were specially printed for the purpose.

“We are Indians and saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ is our responsibility. People like Owaisi are trying to defame Islam and derive political mileage from their remarks. Islam doesn’t give the right to be against the country we live in and in fact never denies us permission to chant pro-India slogans. His Lok Sabha membership should be cancelled with immediate effect,” said Haji Saeed, one of the citizens at the gathering.

This has come three days after Asaduddin Owaisi, a three-time parliamentarian from Hyderabad, controversially declared that he will not chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ even if somebody puts a knife to his throat.

