During his recent campaign in Hyderabad, incumbent MP Asaduddin Owaisi sparked controversy by visiting a local butcher shop and expressing support, exclaiming, “Long live Rehan beef shop!” Following handshakes with the shop’s patrons, Owaisi bid farewell, remarking, “Keep slaughtering.” The BJP deemed the video offensive, with Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commenting on Owaisi’s history of extreme and indecent political statements, including those of his brother MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi.
Reacting to the video, BJP candidate Madhavi Latha expressed bewilderment, questioning Owaisi’s legal credentials and criticizing his focus on personal law. Latha highlighted a contradiction in Owaisi’s actions, suggesting they contradicted his own religious beliefs. She argued that Muslims’ lives should encompass more than just the consumption of beef and urged Owaisi to prioritize education and national development over such issues.
This incident adds to Owaisi’s past entanglements with controversies related to beef, such as his remarks during a 2016 local election. Additionally, Latha accused the Owaisi family of retaining their political stronghold through fraudulent voting practices.
The beef controversy parallels a recent incident involving BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut, who denied allegations of consuming beef and emphasized her adherence to a yogic lifestyle. In Hyderabad, Owaisi faces competition from Hindutva advocate Madhavi Latha.
The political landscape in Hyderabad further heated up when Latha’s arrow gesture, seemingly directed at a mosque during a Ram Navami procession, stirred controversy. Owaisi responded by urging voters to prioritize peace and unity, portraying Latha’s gesture as an attempt to disrupt communal harmony.
In defense, Latha clarified that the video was incomplete and claimed she was gesturing towards the sky, not the mosque. She apologized for any unintended offense caused by the video, emphasizing her respect for all individuals.
A dangerous pattern of divisive rhetoric emerges from @asadowaisi, as he shamelessly uses inflammatory language to provoke and offend Hindu sentiments.
His recent campaign antics, including endorsing a beef shop with ‘Rehan Beef Shop Zindabad’ & advocating for violence, are… pic.twitter.com/hvC4D2FrRa
— Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (Modi ka Parivar) (@SVishnuReddy) April 20, 2024
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