Muslims will not leave India, come what may: Owaisi

Hyderabad, Nov 24  All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday said that the Muslims would not leave the country, come what may, and that they would continue to live here as "proud Indians".

"Muslims will not succumb to dog whistle politics of the Sangh Parivar and other fascist forces but continue their democratic struggle for justice, due share and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the country," the Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad told reporters here. 

When asked for reaction on Bollywood actor Aamir Khan's revelation on Monday that his wife asked if they should move out of the country due to security situation prevailing in the country, the AIMIM leader said, "I can't speak for a film star. I can only speak as a proud Indian Muslim that I will never succumb to all these dog whistle politics of the Sangh Parivar and other fascist organisations." 

"They can't create fear in our hearts and minds because this is our county. So long as life on earth survives, Muslims will live in India as proud Indians," he added.

Owaisi said Indian Muslims would definitely struggle for their due share and rightful position, which no one could deny them since it was what the constitution guarantees.

"We are Indians not only by birth but by choice. We have seen many adversities, many riots; thousands of lives were lost. We have also seen destruction of Babri Masjid," he said.

Owaisi said grievances of Indian Muslims had always been with parties in power as they did not give them the rights the Constitution guaranteed. "Still this is our country. We will continue to fight. We will continue to struggle and definitely get our due share and our position," he added.

The AIMIM leader said Muslims would not disappoint great freedom fighters who dreamt of Muslims living in the country as proud Indians.