The Hyderabad lawmaker said that Muslims are Indians not only by birth but by choice.
Muslims will not leave India under any circumstances as they are Indians "not only by birth but by choice," All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi said on Tuesday.
Mr Owaisi's statement came against the backdrop of the storm created by actor Aamir Khan with his remarks that his wife Kiran Rao had suggested that they should probably leave the country over growing incidents of tolerance and Assam Governor PB Acharya's reported remarks that Muslims are free to go to Pakistan or Bangladesh.
He also said that Muslims will not "succumb" to the kind of politics being played by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS.
Reacting to a query on Khan's remarks on intolerance, Mr Owaisi said "I cannot speak for a film star (Aamir Khan)...I can only speak as a proud Indian Muslim that...I will never succumb...we will not succumb to the dog-whistle politics of Sangh Parivar and fascist organisations and their statements".
"...Come what may, they cannot create fear in our hearts and minds because this is my country. So long as the planet earth survives, Muslims will live in India as proud Indians," Owaisi told reporters here.
The Hyderabad lawmaker said that Muslims are Indians not only by birth but by choice.
"A general atmosphere which is being created in the country about issues which have happened and statements emanating from ruling party government ministers, ruling party sister organisations and both Governors of North East who have stated certain things...So, I wanted to give my view that Muslims will not leave the country come what may. Because, we are not only Indians by birth but by choice," he said.
He said Muslims are being meted out "injustice" and that justice has not been done to them in terms of political representation and economic upliftment.