File Photo: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi
Hyderabad MP and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi does not shy away from controversy. Speaking his mind is also a political strategy and compulsion, some would say. On Sunday, Mr Owaisi was at a book release function when he publicly questioned why the Bharat Ratna was given to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and why LK Advani was given the Padma Vibhushan.
"How can the country's second highest civilian honour, Padma Vibhushan, be given to Advani who is facing criminal cases in connection with the Babri masjid demolition and who sent the country into a communal spin with his rath yatra,'' Mr Owaisi asked.
"This could probably be the first instance of Padma Vibhushan being given to a person who is facing criminal cases," the AIMIM leader said.
Mr Owaisi alleged that Mr Vajpayee had made some controversial comments on the Ayodhya issue, the videos of which were available on the YouTube even now.
"Have we forgotten December 5 (1992)? The same Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had said 'we are going to level the ground' (has been now given the Bharat Ratna)," he claimed.
Telangana BJP chief Kishan Reddy has reacted to Mr Owaisi's comments saying he was not right to make them. "The country knows of what Vajpayee ji is. Neither Vajpayee ji or Advani ji or the public wants any certificate from Owaisi."
Mr Reddy said Mr Owaisi should be arrested and action should be taken against him.