Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), turned down an offer for the second highest 'Z' category security cover, a day after shots were fired at his car while he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut.
"I don't want Z category security. I want to be an A-Category citizen, at par with you all. Why was UAPA not invoked against those who fired at me?" he said, referring to the tough anti-terror law that has been extensively used in recent times by BJP-led state governments and the centre, and according to critics, disproportionately against Muslims.
"I want to live, to speak. My life will be safe when the poor are safe. I will not get scared of those who shot at my car," he said in parliament.
The government had decided to provide him with Z-category security which would have involved round-the-clock protection by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos after reviewing the threat level following last night's attack, just a week ahead of elections in Uttar Pradesh.
Two people have been arrested for firing at his convoy at Meerut's Kithoudh area, police said, and have been sent to 14 days' custody.
One of the accused is Sachin, a resident of Noida who has an earlier attempt to murder case against him.
In his Facebook profile, Sachin says he is a member of a Hindu right-wing organisation and calls himself "Deshbhakt Sachin Hindu".
But questions are being raised over his political affiliation after pictures emerged of his posters expressing support to BJP and multiple photographs from his Facebook profile showing him posing with political leaders from UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma to Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
The other accused is Shubham, a farmer from Saharanpur who does not have a criminal record.
According to police, the two have told them during questioning that they were upset with remarks made by Mr Owaisi and his brother and MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Police have recovered country made pistols from them which they had recently purchased. Police are now looking for the people they bought the firearms from.
Images tweeted by Mr Owaisi from the toll plaza showed two bullet holes on his white SUV, which remains at the spot. The third bullet allegedly hit a tyre. The MP left the area in another car.
The AIMIM leader had addressed a public meeting in Meerut while campaigning for the Uttar Pradesh election starting February 10.
On Rally Stage, A Owaisi Served Notice To Avoid Inflammatory Speech Asaduddin Owaisi In Fray For 16 Maharashtra Seats, Hopes To Fare Better "Our Ancestors Did Jihad Against British": Asaduddin Owaisi Targets BJP "Thousand Times Better...": Delhi Lt Governor's Surprise For AAP's Atishi "World War 3 Has Begun": Ukraine Ex-Military Commander Amid Russia Conflict "Violation Of Sovereignty, Abuse Of Power": Kanwal Sibal On US Report On Adani Group Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay To Visit India From November 24-26 "Implement Pollution Rules Strictly": Delhi Minister Urges Chief Secretary Hyundai Recalls Over 145,000 Electric Vehicles After Malfunction Slows Cars Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.