Hyderabad, March 20 Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become close to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, in contrast to India's neutral stance towards West Asia in the past, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said on Friday that Modi should openly affirm that the ongoing military conflict is wrong.
Addressing a gathering at the Makkah Masjid here, he said that India has maintained friendly ties with all countries in West Asia, although it has treated the cause of Palestinians as its own.
"What did Modi do? Modi became close to Trump and Netanyahu. Now, how can you stop a war? If you are neutral, then perhaps your words would carry more weight. The prime minister was speaking to different leaders (of other countries). You openly say that this war is wrong," he said.
He claimed that if Modi does not have affection for Iran, Qatar, and other West Asian nations, he should at least oppose the ongoing conflict for the sake of the one crore Indians who work there and send 50 per cent of India's foreign exchange.
He charged that the BJP-RSS does not care about the Indians working in the West Asia region, but the organizations have become the "favorites" of Trump and Netanyahu.
He asked, "If the host countries send the Indians back after the conflict, due to pressure on their economies, will Modi take care of their livelihood?"
The Hyderabad MP said that India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is adequate for only 9.50 days, whereas international bodies suggest that the reserves should last 90 days.
Describing Pakistan as a "younger brother of Israel", he said that the two countries would never allow their neighbors to live peacefully, criticizing Pakistan for carrying out attacks on Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan makes tall claims about Islam.
Alleging that incidents of hatred are taking place in the country, he said, in Mumbai, activists of a Sangh Parivar outfit called for an economic boycott targeting Muslims.
"But if that is the case, then why take oil or gas from countries like Qatar or Saudi Arabia? Why not say we won't import gas from Qatar or petroleum from Saudi Arabia? Why not question investments coming from these regions?" he asked.
Those creating hatred focus on Hindu-Muslim divisions, he said.
The AIMIM leader also condemned the booking of cases against 11 individuals for breaking their fast on a boat in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh, calling it unjust and discriminatory. He also said that there is no concern over the sewage entering the Ganga in UP.
He said he would like to inform the youth, especially Hindu youth, that 67 per cent of graduates in the country are unemployed. However, they are being driven into religious issues.
Claiming that many Muslims have been forced to leave their homes in areas like Uttam Nagar in Delhi following threats from RSS-related outfits, he said that some approached the Delhi High Court just to seek permission to celebrate Eid peacefully.
It is worrying to see that such a situation has arisen in the country, he said.
