Owaisi's controversial remark draws flak from political and religious leaders

Soon after his comments which generated a huge controversy, he issued a clarification on his earlier remarks, saying that there was no compulsion on anyone on follow any particular faith

Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi statement has drawn strong reactions, with political and religious leaders all condemning it in one voice.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took exception to Owaisi's comments as it said that the MIM chief's comments were not worthy of making any comments.

"I think Owaisi's comments are worthy of condemnation and not worthy of comment. I think the kind of language he is speaking, I think if he wants to go and pursue politics in Pakistan, this kind of line he could possibly do, he could possibly take," BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao told ANI.

"This is a democratic secular country and he must understand that he has to work within the framework of a secular polity. I hope he understands his responsibilities and he doesnot make such foolish comments again," he added.

Meanwhile the Congress termed both majority communalism and minority communalism as two sides of the same coin.

"Unfortunately there seems to be a competitive polarization going on in this country and the majority communalism and minority communalism are two sides of the same coin. .....," Congress leader Manish Tewari said.

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, the Naib Imam of Lucknow's Aishbagh Eidgah took objection to Owaisi's statements.

"Owaisi's statement is objectionable. The intention seems to create divide between the two communities," he said.

Soon after his comments which generated a huge controversy, the MIM chief on Monday issued a clarification on his earlier remarks on religion, saying that there was no compulsion on anyone on follow any particular faith.

"You have all the rights, please go and read the Koran.....there is no compulsion in religion.....you have all the rights to disagree with me, all the rights to follow a religion," Owaisi told mediapersons here.

"Please don't twist what I have said. I have not said that everyone is a Hindu; I have not said that everyone should become a Muslim," he added.

Owaisi had earlier reportedly said Islam is the 'real home' of all religions in the world, and hence, the real 'homecoming' will be when people of other religion s embrace it.