Maharashtra SP leader Abu Asim Azmi's direct challenge to Raj Thackeray, says 'Remove the police, then see what happens'

New Delhi. During the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi has openly challenged Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. On the issues of Vote Jihad and loudspeakers of mosques, Azmi said that if Raj Thackeray has courage then he should remove the police, enter the mosque and remove the loudspeakers himself. Azmi said in a harsh tone, “What doesn't death do, if you have the courage then come and see.”

reaction on vote jihad

Raising questions on Vote Jihad, Abu Azmi said that before 2014, no attempt was made to remove the burqa of any girl. He alleged that atrocities on Muslim society have increased and poor Muslims are being tortured. He says that Muslims are being forced to chant 'Jai Shri Ram'. He said that all the people who believe in the Constitution are against these atrocities and now the public cannot be fooled.

War of words started between Raj Thackeray and Abu Azmi over the loudspeaker installed at the mosque, what is the whole matter. #RajThackeray #AbuAzmi #BJP #MaharashtraAssemblyElection2024 pic.twitter.com/r4ZVlm8TsF

— News Express (@newsexpresslive) November 8, 2024

MVA not Muslim League: Abu Azmi

On linking MVA with Muslim League's fatwa, Azmi clarified that Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) is not a Muslim League, it is not even a party of Muslims. MVA has leaders like Congress, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray who are working in the interest of the country. He said that this is not a Muslim party and votes cannot be expected from those who oppress Muslims. He asked, “For how long will the word Jihad be misused?”

Challenge given to Raj Thackeray

On the statement given by Raj Thackeray on loudspeaker, Azmi said that Raj Thackeray's government will never come to power in Maharashtra. He said that no one can violate the law, and if anyone has the courage then he should remove the police and enter the mosque by removing the loudspeakers. Azmi also said that he has never threatened to remove loudspeakers from the temple, hence such things should not be blown out of proportion unnecessarily.

“The politics of priests of hatred must end”

◆ Abu Asim Azmi said on Raj Thackeray's statement#RajThackeray #AbuAsimAzmi | Abu Azmi pic.twitter.com/1Vb8sVqLUM

— News24 (@news24tvchannel) November 7, 2024

Target on Yogi-Modi

Responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's statement 'Batenge toh katenge', Azmi said, “If we unite, we will be strong, noble and will also strengthen India.” He said that leaders like Modi and Amit Shah do not talk on development issues, and are after Muslims. Describing MVA as followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's ideas, he targeted the central government and said that these people are involved in corruption.

dispute over waqf land

On the issue of Waqf land, Abu Azmi alleged that the central government is misusing the lands of the Waqf Board. He said that these lands were given by our elders for orphanages and mosques, but the government has captured them and opened government offices. Azmi called it a part of the politics of polarization and claimed that the central government is resting on only two crutches, which if removed, the government will fall.