HYDERABAD: The attack on Akbaruddin Owaisi on Saturday brought back into focus the old rivalry between his Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) and the Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT). For years the two parties, the latter being an offshoot of the former, have fought a bitter turf war. However, MBT leader Amjadullah Khan denied that his party had anything to do with the attack.
In an interview with Express, Amjadullah Khan insists that prime suspect Mohammed Pahelwan is a ‘peace-loving man’ who was pushed to the wall by the MIM. Excerpts:
So, who is Mohammed Pahelwan?
He is a peace-loving man. He belongs to a family of landlords. They are 20 brothers and one sister and each owns not less than 100 acres of land across the state. They are not land-sharks, as is being alleged. Pahelwan’s family was being harassed by the Owaisi brothers on one pretext or the other. What can happen when someone is pushed to the wall? The Owaisi brothers, particularly Akbaruddin, were bent upon finishing the family. We will extend all possible help to Pahelwan. Among his three sons, one is in the IIT, and another is studying mechanical engineering.
Was your party responsible for the attack on Akbaruddin?
There are forces out there, including some MIM leaders and sections of the media, who are bent upon creating a rift between the MIM and MBT. Some big persons want a rift for their own benefit as they have a grudge against both parties. The MBT, neither directly nor indirectly, is involved in the attack. Pahelwan is our sympathiser. Whether he or his family were involved in the attack will be decided by the court. We have no faith in this government nor its police or any other agency and we are pressing for a probe by the CBI or any sitting judge of the High Court.
MIM leaders and police are talking about a larger conspiracy. What could it be?
I don’t know what they mean by a larger conspiracy. Against such a backdrop, there is good reason to order a CBI probe. Asaduddin Owaisi is close to the UPA, let him get a CBI enquiry ordered. But the CBI enquiry should cover all aspects: the land deals involving Akbar Owaisi and how huge chunks have been grabbed by them and how they used state government agencies including GHMC, collectorate, police for their purpose. All angles must be probed so that the people know the truth.
What are the issues between Pahelwan and Akbaruddin?
There are many. One case was about a piece of land that Pahelwan wanted to give for setting up a medical college. This was resisted by MIM. They got the permission for the college cancelled. There is one MIM corporator who is responsible for the growing rift. Pahelwan’s marriage hall, cattle shed, hotel and a few other properties were demolished on some pretext or the other as government agencies are hand-in-glove with the brothers.
Now they targeted his ancestral property at Barkas due to which the family felt threatened. Pahelwan tried to compromise but he was abused and driven out. As far as the attack itself is concerned, it was an act of self-defence.
Are you praying for Akbar Owaisi’s speedy recovery?
My mother is definitly praying for his speedy recovery.
Is there is a threat to your life after the Akbar incident?
I have been going around the Old City alone even after the incident took place. There is no threat to me. I was in no way involved with this attack. We are a peace-loving party fighting for the rights of Muslims.
We don’t need any security nor have we asked for it. Even otherwise, we have been facing threats in various forms for the last 18 years.
Would you like to meet Asaduddin Owaisi and sort things out?
Right now, he is disturbed. We will take a call based on what our party decides. As of now, they (MIM) are keeping quiet and we too have not much to say. Let me tell you that the MBT is part and parcel of the MIM. But the only problem is that the Owaisi brothers feel that the party is their property. MIM is a Muslim organisation and we differ on their policies and style of work. My father (the late Amanullah Khan) and several other respected people were associated with the MIM but fell out due to their policies.
Is the MBT ready to merge with the MIM?
If they (the Owaisis) change their attitude,
why not? I have said earlier also that let Asad call all of us, talk and discuss what the issues are. But some vested interests do not want any rapprochement. The brothers should realise that when they are elected, they have to work for all, including those who did not vote for them. As far as we are concerned, all options are open. Anything which needs to be done, should be in the interest of Muslims.