The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, on Thursday, Sep 2, in a press conference asked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Central Government to clear it’s stance on Taliban. In the press conference, Owaisi asked if the central government considers the Taliban as a terrorist group, if yes then declare them so under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Owaisi further said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Central Government doesn’t consider the Taliban as a terrorist group then de-list them as well as the Haqqani network from the United Nations Sanction Committee. He substantiated his demand by stating that the Indian government is the chairman of the UN Sanction Committee as of today. He then went ahead to demand from the BJP led Central Government to stop calling “poor Muslims” as Talibanis if the government cannot declare Taliban as a terrorist group.
“Every day, this is happening. If a poor Muslim man is selling vegetables on the road, he is termed a Talibani. If anybody politically opposes the BJP, irrespective of religion, they give them the title of Talibani thinking.” complained Owaisi in his press conference on Thursday.
Notably, India and the representatives of Taliban, on Tuesday, Aug 31, held meetings to discuss the safety of Indians in Afghanistan, especially minorities. The Indian government has also urged the Taliban to abstain from using Afghanistan soil for any terrorist activities against India.
When asked Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, if India is going to recognise the Taliban, his answer created an ambiguity on the subject.
“Our focus is not that Taliban is a terror organisation or not, our focus is that Afghan soil should not be used in anti-India activity and terrorism against India. We will focus on that element,” replied the MEA spokesperson on the issue of India recognising the Taliban. Taliban has acquired majority of territories in Afghanistan in August 2021. The US army troops have vacated Afghanistan before the deadline of Aug 31 given by Taliban.
With inputs from News Agency
