Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, residing in self-imposed exile in London, has appealed to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant political asylum to him and his colleagues.
This request was made during a recorded video message, broadcasted on social media from his residence in London on November 9.
Altaf Hussain asks Modi for help – seeking asylum in India pic.twitter.com/i3xmEHs6Xk
— Ajmal Khan (@averagejoepk) November 13, 2019
Altaf Seeks Asylum in India
Altaf Hussain said, “If India and Prime Minister Modi grant me permission to come to India, and provide asylum to me and colleagues, I am prepared to come to India along with my colleagues because my grandfather is buried there. My grandmother is buried there, thousands of my relatives are buried in India.”
The MQM leader continued, “I want to go to their graves, and I want to pray.” He also appealed to Narendra Modi for financial assistance. Altaf said, “I am a peaceful person-peace-loving. I will not interfere in any politics, I promise.”
Read more: UK considers hate charges against Altaf Hussain
Altaf Hussain also requested the Indian government to grant asylum to “some Balochis and Sindhis” whom he will refer to, and once India has “conducted research” on these individuals, they must also be aided. He said, “We need Indian help.”
Altaf said that his assets in Karachi had been seized, and he appealed to the Indian Prime Minister to provide him financial assistance if he cannot grant him political asylum.
Altaf Hussain also expressed his opinion over the disappointing verdict on the Babri Masjid land acquisition case. The MQM leaders said that the Muslims of India have no right over the disputed territory of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
Altaf Hussain bashed Asaduddin Awaisi after Babri Masjid verdict.
Says India has the right to impose Hindu Raaj. pic.twitter.com/7qsLRSwTJ1— Main Abdul Majid Hoon (@ComicsByMajid) November 13, 2019
Altaf also lashed out on Indian Muslim politician Asaduddin Owaisi, urging him to construct a Babri Masjid on the land allotted by the Indian Supreme Court. He said, “The incumbent government led by Modi has the right to pave the way for Hindu Raj in India, and if Indian politician Asaduddin Owaisi and others do not support this India, they should migrate to Pakistan, where a Muslim homeland was established for them.”
Modi Saved the Daughters of Kashmir
Altaf Hussain later emerged on Indian TV show host Arnab Goswami’s program, The Debate, where he lauded Modi as the savior of occupied Kashmir’s mothers and daughters.
#AltafOnRepublic | Pak leader Altaf Hussain is LIVE on Republic TV with Arnab Goswami. Tune in to watch here – https://t.co/rGQJsiKgt2 pic.twitter.com/rLqpcyFgT9
— Republic (@republic) November 19, 2019
He also bashed the Pakistan Army and ISI, maligning the country’s image. He lauded Modi’s decision to abrogate article 370 and annex the disputed Himalayan territory.
https://twitter.com/sadafnawaid/status/1197141330490777601
Altaf said, “I am thankful to Allah, may Allah bless Prime Minister Modi for abrogating Article 370 and annexing Kashmir. He saved the mothers, sisters, and daughters of Kashmir (IoK). The mothers, daughters, and sisters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (AJK) are not free. The people there are not free.”
Read more: Altaf Hussain Charged in UK for Inciting Violence in his Speeches
He continued, “There is only one province in Pakistan that is not occupied, otherwise all provinces-occupied Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, occupied Balochistan and occupied Sindh. Only Punjab enjoys freedom.”
The MQM leader said that I am the only courageous leader in Pakistan, who “has the courage to speak the truth.”
#AltafOnRepublic | 4 years ago, they put a ban on my speeches in print media and electronic media: Pak leader Altaf Hussainhttps://t.co/RZHKU3wOei pic.twitter.com/yumwEVYxJF
— Republic (@republic) November 19, 2019
On Goswami’s insistence, Altaf Hussain also sang the Indian national anthem during the live show.
#AltafOnRepublic | MQM Founder Altaf Hussain sings 'saare jahan se accha, Hindustan hamara'. Tune in to watch and share your views using the hashtag –https://t.co/RZHKU3wOei pic.twitter.com/gcxQpcHRg5
— Republic (@republic) November 19, 2019
Altaf Hussain, a British citizen, and banned MQM leader has been residing in the United Kingdom for the past 27 years. Presently, he has obtained bail in a case on the offenses of inciting violence. The MQM leader has been arrested twice by the British authorities, first in relation to a money laundering case, and later in a hate-speech case.
The MQM based in Karachi, led by Farooq Sattar and other politicians, has cut its ties with Altaf Hussain after the controversial incendiary speech made in August 2016.