On Bilkis Bano Convicts' Release, Asaduddin Owaisi Points To Gujarat Polls | Read

The release of 11 men serving life term for the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots, is "appeasement politics" ahead of the state elections in Gujarat, Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of AIMIM, told NDTV today. "It is more unfortunate as the Prime Minister talked about more power to women from Red Fort on the Independence Day. It is sending a wrong message to the Muslim community and sets a wrong precedent," he added during an exclusive interview. "This is again a crime committed against Bilkis Bano. Fresh wounds are given to Bilkis Bano. I hope good sense would prevail in the BJP," Mr Owaisi said. Elections are due in Gujarat by the end of this year, in which the BJP is hoping for another term in power in the state.