Asaduddin Owaisi Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday said Zionism and the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh are rooted in hatred, even as he criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel.
Addressing a public Jalsa Youm-ul-Quran meeting at Chowk Masjid in the Old City, Mr. Owaisi referred to the prime minister’s speech in the Israeli parliament, saying the speech was also meant to acknowledge Palestinian suffering and historical injustices. He recalled the 1994 Hebron mosque massacre in which a “Jewish terrorist” killed 29 worshippers.
Citing casualty figures from Gaza, Mr Owaisi said more than 70,000 had died, including women and children, and asked if all those killed could be labeled terrorists. He also referred to the displacement of Palestinians during the Nakba in 1948 and described Palestine as a matter of justice as well as a matter of religious significance for Muslims.
The AIMIM leader criticized Israel’s “racist” policies against Palestinians and referred to international legal proceedings against Israeli leaders, including arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. He said that Israel is not giving arms to India for free. In fact, defense purchases between 2020 and 2024 totaled $1 billion.
“India’s respect in the Global South should not be diminished because you (PM Modi) are supporting a genocidal regime. What is the national interest, tell us. Who is not selling arms? The ideology of Zionism and RSS is based on hatred,” he said.
On local matters, Mr. Owaisi slammed the Telangana government for the reported demolition of the 800-year-old dargah in Vemulawada, alleging violation of the Waqf Act. He said Section 51 of the Waqf Act prohibits alienation of Waqf mutawallis and demands accountability from officials and elected representatives.
Published – 27 Feb 2026 20:34 IST
