AIMIM spokesperson Pathan withdraws remark, says no intention to hurt any community

Clarifying his remark at a press conference in Mumbai, Pathan said, “This is a political conspiracy to target me and my party. In spite of this, if people have been hurt by my words, I take them back. I am a true citizen of this India and proud to be an Indian national.”

Claiming that he was not targeting any community, but the individuals who had taken a stand against Indian Muslims, the AIMIM leader said, “There are around 100 people who are basically opposing the Muslim community of India. They may be from the BJP, the RSS or the Bajrang Dal. What I meant was that we 15 crore can outweigh these 100 people.”

The AIMIM, which Friday had said that it would seek an explanation from Pathan, said the issue now stands closed for the party. “Waris Pathan has taken back his words. There are bigger issues and problems that Indian is facing at this moment. This issue is a closed chapter for us now,” AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel said.

Meanwhile, a criminal complaint has been filed in a Bihar court against AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Pathan over the latter’s remark. The complaint was lodged by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha in the court of Muzaffarpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Mukesh Kumar, who posted the matter for hearing on March 4.