MP Assembly passes Censure Motion against Owaisi

MP Assembly today passed censure motion against Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen for his remarks that he would not chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai (long live Mother India).

Before a heated debate could lead a ruckus in Assembly, the speaker of the House Sitasharan Sharma rose to announce the passing of Censure Motion against the AIMIM leader.

Main opposition Congress member Jitu Patwari moved the motion and condemned Owaisi during Zero Hour of the ongoing Budget session. Jitu Patwari referred first prime minster of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru and recalled that the great leader had immense respect for Mother India. The MLA further said Nehru in his book ‘Discovery of India’ touched upon rich and diversified cultural legacy of India.

MP Legislative Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra seconded Patwari's censure motion and condemned Owaisi saying that such type of anti-national mentality is being noticed since last one-and a-half year.

Mishra said also condemned the people behind raising slogan Pakistan Zindabad and those supporting parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

He said that even the anti-national acts at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus too should be condemned along with Owaisi.

MP Panchayat Minister Gopal Bhargava rose to join in condemning Owaisi and tried to take a dig at the Congress.

The speaker meanwhile intervened to end the debate and announced the passing of censure motion unanimously against AIMIM leader amid chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai" by members of ruling BJP and Congress.

On March 13, Owaisi had said he will not chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai,' comments that came against the backdrop of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's suggestion that the new generation needs to be taught to chant slogans hailing mother India.

"I don't chant that slogan. What are you going to do, Bhagwat sahib," Owaisi had said, at a public rally in Udgir tehsil of Latur district of Maharashtra.

"I won't utter that (slogan) even if you put a knife to my throat," Owaisi said, amid loud applause by the crowd, “"Nowhere in the Constitution it says that one should say: Bharat Mata ki Jai."

Bhagwat, on March 3 had said, "Now the time has come when we have to tell the new generation to chant 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' (hail mother India)."