Owaisi Condemns Red Fort Blast That Killed 15, Calls for Unity

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has condemned the recent blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, which has claimed at least 15 lives. Speaking at a public gathering in Hyderabad, Owaisi described the perpetrators as “enemies of all Indians” and criticized those who, in the aftermath, target the Muslim community with accusations and hostility.

The explosion occurred near the Red Fort Metro Station on October 14, 2023, and preliminary investigations have revealed that four of the accused are affiliated with Al Falah University in Faridabad. The primary suspect, Dr Umar Nabi, is alleged to have driven the vehicle laden with explosives that was used in the attack. Owaisi stated, “I condemn anyone who sits in an educational institution and conspires to build bombs. Fourteen people, including Hindus and Muslims, were killed. Enemies of the nation are our enemies.”

The AIMIM leader emphasized that such violent acts affect all communities equally and must be confronted without bias. He expressed concern over the immediate backlash against Muslims following the incident. Owaisi asserted that Muslims should not be held responsible for the actions of individuals who commit such crimes. “To those who abuse Muslims and demand a certificate of loyalty from us, we have gone through much and may face more tomorrow, but we have never hated our nation,” he remarked.

Owaisi’s comments highlight the broader societal implications of the attack, stressing the need for unity and understanding in the face of adversity. He further criticized those who question the patriotism of the entire Muslim community after terror incidents, stating, “If oppressors suppress Muslims, they weaken India. How will India become a developed nation if Muslims are viewed with hatred?”

In his speech, Owaisi referenced a separate incident involving BR Gavai, the former Chief Justice of India, where an advocate threw a shoe at him. He pointed out the silence surrounding this act compared to the vocal accusations often directed at Muslims. “The Ayodhya judgment was not in our favour, but did any Muslim hurl a shoe at a judge? Yet nothing is said about the one who did so because he belongs to the majority community,” he noted.

The blast has triggered a wider investigation, with authorities recovering explosives from Dauj village in Faridabad. Investigators are now scrutinizing what they describe as a “white collar terror module,” focusing on the university and its administration. Concerns are mounting regarding the potential radicalization within professional and academic environments, especially given that some of the accused were faculty members at the university’s medical college.

The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies examining networks, affiliations, and possible ideological influences behind the attack. As the situation develops, Owaisi’s call for unity and fairness resonates in a time of heightened tensions, underscoring the importance of distinguishing between the actions of individuals and the broader community they represent.