Asaduddin Owaisi: ‘Waqf law an internal matter of my country… (Now) country has been attacked, we have to stand up for it’

I am sure the Indian leadership is aware of all the scenarios. But the gist of the matter is, had Pahalgam not happened, would we have arrived at this situation? One must remember that this was completely a Pakistan-sponsored massacre. That has led to this.

No country will keep quiet if you keep on sending terrorists. It was very unfortunate that the tourists who had gone there (to Kashmir), you separated them from their families. And all the men who could not recite the Kalma, who were not Muslim, were shot dead in front of their wives, children and families.

The UN charter under Article 51 allows us self-defence. And even the Constitution is very clear under Article 355 that if any external aggression happens against a state, it is the responsibility of the Union of India to protect the people.

What do you think of the government’s actions on the diplomatic front?

So far, whatever steps have been taken through the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security), we all know. Going forward, Pakistan should be brought back into the grey list of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force). The Resistance Force (TRF), which is nothing but the Lashkar-e-Taiba, should be proscribed first by the US, because they are our strategic partners. We have a Free Trade Agreement with the UK. So, we should ask the UK to ban this organisation through the UK treasury.

Then US and UK help should be taken to ensure sanctions are imposed on Pakistan. Internationally, we must ensure every country bans the TRF (which took responsibility for the Pahalgam attack). We should then start constructing dams on the Chenab and Jhelum. It will take years, but we will have to do it.

We must also not forget that those four terrorists (behind the Pahalgam attack) are still at large and they must be brought to justice.

Should India engage with Pakistan if there is a de-escalation?

On Thursday, at the all-party meeting, (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh had quoted (former prime minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee saying we cannot change our neighbours. I interrupted and said we also cannot trust them. You are talking about a hypothetical situation. Unfortunately, Pakistan believes in destabilising and weakening India and creating more Hindu-Muslim friction in the country. Can you trust Pakistan, its deep state, its Army?

In the present situation, I don’t see that scenario arising right now.

You were critical of the government on the Waqf Act, but on this issue, the entire Opposition, including you, has come with the government. After the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot counter-attack, questions had been raised by the Opposition.

As far as Uri and Balakot are concerned, I welcomed both the strikes. About the Waqf law, our position remains the same. We (our party) feel that it is a black law framed against the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. We will continue our protests and legal battle against it.

But that is an internal matter of my country. When an external power threatens the security of the country, we have to rise above our political affiliations. Our country has been attacked and we have to stand up for the country.

… Whatever I am saying is something I have been saying for a very long time. If someone has not noticed it, it is not my mistake. And I am not saying anything because I am under any kind of pressure. I don’t need any validation from anyone. As an Indian, I have all the right to speak up when my country is attacked by terrorists. I am not saying these things to garner any praise. In my politics, I always speak from the heart.

What were the suggestions you gave at the all-party meeting?

I said there is huge euphoria in the country (over Operation Sindoor) and the government must use it to unite and strengthen the country. We should not allow elements to create differences among various groups and religions. I quoted the example of how Himanshi Narwal, who lost her husband on the seventh day of her marriage (in the Pahalgam attack), was targeted following her statement that we should not hate Kashmiris and Muslims.

I said this is a historic opportunity. The Kashmiris have condemned the Pahalgam attack unequivocally. There were organic protests. We must confront Pakistan, but also embrace Kashmiris.

I also said that the victims of the Poonch killings (due to Pakistan shelling) should be treated as terror victims. The government must ensure that their houses are reconstructed and we must give ex-gratia.

I also mentioned how (Lashkar commander) Hafiz Abdur Rauf had made a statement in February in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir that, ‘Throughout 2025, we will do jihad’. The holy name of jihad is being used for nothing but to bleed India. He is a designated terrorist by the US but was seen leading the janaza prayers of terrorists, with Pakistani military officials standing behind him. I said this fact must be told to the whole world. It is an apt description of what Pakistan is. I also said that all government information should be released in Urdu as well.

I pointed out that Turkiye (Turkey) has been bombing Kurdish terrorists in its own country. Now, Kurds are also Muslims. But Turkiye is viewing the conflict between India and Pakistan as Hindu and Muslim. Terrorism is terrorism. You have more Muslims in India than in Pakistan. I said we must explain this to Turkiye.