Mumbai, March 27: As the BJP launched a nationwide outreach programme ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ aimed at economically weaker Muslim families ahead of Eid, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi voiced strong criticism, stating that the distribution of 32 lakh kits would not bring real happiness to Muslims.

According to Azmi, the true source of happiness for Muslims would come if innocent Muslims currently imprisoned were released before Eid.

Talking to media, Abu Azmi said: “32 lakh kits will not bring happiness to the weaker section of Muslims. Real happiness will come when the innocent Muslims, who are unjustly imprisoned, are released before Eid. If you had told them to go home and celebrate Eid with their families, I would have seen that as a real gift. If you really want to give a gift, then the gift would be the rights given to Muslims by the Constitution of Bhimrao Ambedkar, where every person should receive their rightful share according to their numbers. If you had done that, I would have considered it a gift.”

Azmi further accused the BJP of using this initiative to influence Muslims in light of the upcoming Bihar elections. He claimed that the outreach programme was merely an attempt to win votes by targeting the Muslim community under the pretext of providing welfare.

“It is no surprise that such things happen when elections are near. With the Bihar elections approaching, it seems the BJP is trying to appease Muslims. They are trying to take over Muslim lands, while the entire Muslim community is opposing the amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Those who own the land don’t want changes, but the BJP is determined to make amendments. What kind of gift is this? The real issue is that they are entering mosques, burning the Quran, and causing distress to Muslims,” Azmi said.

He added: “You’re offering these so-called gifts, but you won’t give Muslims even one minister, one MLA, or one MP. There is no need for such gifts. The real gift will be when Muslims are granted the rights promised to them by the Constitution. Only then would I truly consider it a gift, and I would love that.”

Azmi also responded to the recent strict instructions issued by Uttar Pradesh Police, which prohibited Namaz on roads and other public places. In Meerut, the police have advised Muslims to offer Namaz only at designated mosques or other grounds meant for mass prayer.

“What if the government decides tomorrow that we cannot pray? If we pray, they’ll threaten to shoot us or send us to jail. For hundreds of years, people have been praying in public spaces when mosques were small or overcrowded, sometimes even on roads next to gutters. But instead of harassing people for praying, the government should provide space for them to pray, clean up the areas, and respect their right to practice their religion. It’s not about blocking traffic; it’s about deliberately harassing Muslims,” he said, expressing concern over the increased restrictions on religious practices.

Azmi further reacted to the recent controversy surrounding comedian Kunal Kamra, whose satirical remarks on social media have led to protests and demands for his YouTube channel to be banned.

Azmi found the response disproportionate, particularly when compared to the lack of action in the case of insults toward Islam.

“Kunal Kamra’s remarks about the Deputy Chief Minister were inappropriate, but we must remember that when insults are made against our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), no action is taken. Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen, who have written defamatory books about Islam, receive protection under freedom of speech laws. In contrast, Kamra’s remarks have sparked massive outrage, and there’s even a push to ban his YouTube channel. This is a clear double standard. It shows how democracy is being undermined in our country,” Azmi concluded.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday said the Maharashtra government summoned comedian Kunal Kamra for insulting a “traitor,” but took no action against actor Rahul Solapurkar over his “insult” of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

He also targeted the BJP over its `Saugat-e-Modi’ initiative under which special kits for Eid are being distributed among Muslims, calling it “Saugat-e-Satta” (gift of power), and accused the saffron party of hypocrisy.

“When a comment was made against the ‘traitor’ (apparent reference to Eknath Shinde), the studio where the programme was recorded was stormed, and Kamra was sent two summons (for allegedly defaming Shinde). But has even a single summons been issued to Rahul Solapurkar, who allegedly insulted Shivaji Maharaj?” Thackeray asked, speaking to reporters “What right do you have to take action against Kamra? Whose image are you trying to protect?” he added.

Thackeray also said that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was trying to shield a man (Shinde) whom Kamra did not name directly in his show, but did not say anything about `the man Kamra named’. Notably, the Sena (UBT) mouthpiece `Saamana’ had earlier this week pointed out that the BJP was mum about Kamra’s direct jibes at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the same show.

The stand-up comic, whose parody song targeting Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde led to an attack by Shinde supporters on a studio here on Sunday, has been summoned by Mumbai Police. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has often used the term “traitor” for Shinde, who rebelled against Thackeray and split the party in 2022.

Actor Solapurkar recently came under fire after stating in a podcast that Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th century Maratha warrior king, escaped from Agra Fort by bribing Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s officials and not by concealing himself in a basket of sweets as per the popular account. Some right-wing organisations took exception to the term “bribe.” On the BJP’s ‘Saugat-e-Modi’ programme, Thackeray said, “Will their `Saugat-e-Satta’ remain restricted till the Bihar elections or will it continue forever? The BJP should also declare that it has given up Hindutva.” “When the Shiv Sena received overwhelming support from Muslim voters, a hue and cry was made, saying that I had abandoned Hindutva. They even coined terms like ‘Satta Jihad’. But now, the same people have reversed their position,” said Thackeray, a former BJP ally.

Criticizing the BJP’s stand on communal issues, he said, “Muslims face police action, their homes are burnt, and Hindus are only used to instigate riots against Muslims.” “The BJP spread poison against Islam for many years, and now it wants the Muslim community to vote for it,” Thackeray said, adding, “the BJP should clarify whether it wants to offer poison or food to Muslims.” He would like to see pictures of BJP’s Hindutva advocates visiting Muslim households to distribute Saugat-e-Modi kits, Thackeray added.

The Devendra Fadnavis government lacked clarity and stability, he said.

“This is an uneasy government with a large mandate, yet no one knows who will lose his or her position next. The truth behind the violence in Nagpur is still not known,” he said.

Commenting on BJP leader Prashant Koratkar’s alleged phone call to a historian in Kolhapur during which Koratkar is accused of saying derogatory things about Shivaji Maharaj, Thackeray said, “I feel Koratkar may be asked to write a 300-word essay and let off.” He was apparently referring to the last year’s Porsche crash case in Pune where the juvenile driver was initially let off and asked to write an essay on road safety.

“Does anyone even remember what happened to the absconding directors of the Badlapur school where Akshay Shinde, an accused in a sexual assault case, died in a police encounter?” Thackeray asked.

Responding to recent demands for the removal of a dog’s memorial at Raigad Fort, Thackeray said, “What happened to the ground-breaking ceremony for the Shivaji Maharaj memorial in the Arabian Sea? An expert committee can be formed to discuss the issue of the dog’s memorial. But what legal action can be expected from a government that has forgotten the memorial to Shivaji?” Thackeray also questioned the assembly speaker’s delay in taking a decision on the Leader of Opposition’s post.

Mumbai: The Central Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has claimed to have seized mephedrone MD drugs worth Rs 50 crore by busting a factory and lab supplying mephedrone MD. The NCP had conducted an operation in Mumbai’s Bhandup area, during which two drug peddlers were arrested, out of which drugs were hidden in plastic containers at the house of one of the accused.

Interrogation of the arrested accused revealed that he had set up a drug manufacturing lab in Mahad Industrial Area of ​​​​Raigad district and a case is already registered against the supplier of the suspected chemical factory under the NDPS Act and it is being investigated by the DRI and he is on bail in this case.

The NCB has continuously launched a campaign against drugs and drug smugglers. The NCB has appealed to the citizens to cooperate in the campaign against narcotics. Citizens should actively participate in this campaign being run to eliminate drug addiction and citizens can directly contact the helpline toll-free number 1933.

In line with the campaign of the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, on the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the NCB has intensified its action against drugs. During the action, the NCB has also recovered 46.8 kg of mephedrone, which has an estimated market price of Rs 50 crore. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also praised the action of NCB in this matter.