Owaisi banned from entering Aurangabad

HYDERABAD — The Maharashtra police has banned beleaguered Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi from entering Aurangabad, where he was scheduled to address a public meeting on Friday. The notice ordering the ban under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) on grounds that his presence might create a law and order problem in the neighbouring Maharashtra town, was served on the MIM lawmaker by a special police team which arrived in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Aurangabad police believe that the tense situation prevailing in the town following the recent riots in adjoining districts might be detrimental to the law and order situation. The notice banning Owaisi’s entry into Aurangabad said: “It is observed that the speech of MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi (Asaduddin Owaisi’s brother who is facing charges in various Telangana districts for having delivered ‘hate’ speeches), which is in wide circulation through the social media among the youth of both the communities, has created communal tension and unrest among the Hindu community of Aurangabad. The MIM has so far not condemned the contentious speech of the MIM MLA giving the feeling that the party leadership endorses the view of Akbaruddin Owaisi.” Asaduddin Owaisi, reacting to the notice served on him, has condemned the ban as undemocratic and said that his party would appeal it in court. “Why are they afraid of us? MIM leaders always speak within the purview of the Constitution. This is a democracy and I have a right to express my opinion even if you don’t like it,” he said. Stating that the Aurangabad police had mentioned that he did not condemn Akbaruddin’s alleged hate speech, Asad, as he is popularly known, said: “The matter is sub-judice, and based on the evidence, the Nirmal and Nizamabad courts will decide whether or not Akbar’s speech was wrong. How can the police commissioner question my stand on Akbar’s speech,” the MIM chief
wondered.