Criticising the Union government for its response on the issue, the Hyderabad MP said, "When I asked 'What about us, the smaller parties?' He joked that my voice is anyway too loud."
Published Apr 24, 2025 | 11:25 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 24, 2025 | 2:38 PM
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. (Asaduddinowaisi/Facebook)
Synopsis: AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Centre for initially excluding smaller parties from the Pahalgam all-party meet, calling it undemocratic. He later confirmed attendance after a call from Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting follows a deadly terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26. In response, India imposed strict diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
AIMIM MP from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday, 24 April, took to X, to slam the Union government for selective all- party meet invites to parties with smaller number of MPs.
The Union government has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead and several injured.
Owaisi referring to his conversation with Union Minister for parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju, claimed that the government is planning to invite only members from the parties which have at least five to 10 MPs. ” I spoke to Minister Kiren Rijiju last night. He said they’re thinking of inviting only parties with ‘5 or 10 MPs.’ When I asked why not parties with fewer MPs, he said that the meeting would get ‘too long.’, ” he wrote on X.
Further criticising the Union government for allegedly joking on the issue, the Hyderabad MP said, “When I asked ‘What about us, the smaller parties?’ He joked that my voice is anyway too loud.”
Later in the day, Owaisi, speaking to the media, informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called him, and asked him to attend the meeting.
Noting that the reason for which the all-party meeting is called is of national importance, Owaisi said, “I will book the earliest ticket and reach for the all-party meeting in Delhi.”
#WATCH | | Hyderabad, Telangana: On the all-party meeting called over #PahalgamTerroristAttack, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, “The reason for which the all-party meeting is called is of national importance. The Home Minister just called me and asked where I am. He has asked… pic.twitter.com/MnKF9TjiEe
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2025
Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to spend extra time to hear all the concerns, Owaisi asked, “This is not a BJP’s or another party’s internal meeting, it is an all party meeting to send a strong and united message against terrorism & those countries that harbour terrorists. Can’t PM Narendra Modi spend an extra hour to hear the concerns of all parties? ”
He further stated, “Your own party does not have a majority. Whether it is a party with 1 MP or a 100, they were both elected by Indians and deserve to be heard on such an important matter. This is not a political issue, it is a national issue. Everyone must be heard,” and urged, “I urge Narendra Modi to make this a real ALL Party Meeting, every party with an MP in Parliament must be invited.”
Regarding the Pahalgam All Party Meeting, I spoke to @KirenRijiju last night. He said they’re thinking of inviting only parties with “5 or 10 MPs.” When I asked why not parties with fewer MPs, he said that the meeting would get “too long.” When I asked “What about us, the smaller…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 24, 2025
On Wednesday, 23 April, in response to the attack, the Union government, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and imposed sweeping diplomatic restrictions.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the measures following the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Among the diplomatic steps announced:
The attack took place on the afternoon of 22 April, when three armed militants opened fire on tourists at the popular Baisaran meadow, five kilometres from Pahalgam. The assault is the deadliest in the region in recent years and sparked widespread outrage across the country.
Victims included a newlywed Navy officer, an Indian Air Force (IAF) official, and civilians from over a dozen Indian states, including three from Karnataka and one from Kerala.
Wednesday saw a rare total shutdown in Kashmir as residents observed a hartal in solidarity with the victims. Several local newspapers published their front pages in stark reverse print, decrying the assault as a tragedy that has shaken the Valley.
Political leaders from across the spectrum, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, called for national unity and a firm response.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
