Indian Muslim Leader rejects security, says 'make me A Category citizen'

New Delhi: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi said in Lok Sabha on Friday that he rejected the 'Z' category security accorded to him by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The MHA had sanctioned the security cover to Mr. Owaisi a day after two men had fired bullets at his vehicle near Chajarsi toll plaza in Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district on Thursday evening.

The Uttar Pradesh police have arrested two accused -- Sachin Sharma and Shubham. According to his social media accounts, Sharma is a member of the BJP. In his Facebook profile, Sharma describes himself as "Deshbhakt Sachin Hindu (patriotic Hindu)", with photographs of him with BJP leaders such as Lok Sabha member from Gautam Buddh Nagar, Mahesh Sharma and U.P. Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma.

Mr. Mahesh Sharma, however, distanced himself from the accused and told reporters that the BJP is against any kind of violence, adding that Sachin Sharma was not a member of the party.

"Being a public representative anyone can get photographed with me. Strict action should be taken against him; I don't know him," Mr. Sharma said.

Deepak Bhuker, Superintendent of Police, Hapur said the accused had opened fire on Mr. Owaisi's convoy as they were allegedly 'hurt' by his 'anti-Hindu' statements.

A police officer said Sharma is resident of Badalpur in Dadri, near Delhi and Shubham is a resident of Saharanpur. The duo used an unlicensed pistol to attack Mr. Owaisi while he was returning to Delhi after an election campaign in Meerut. A car has also been recovered.

A case of attempt to murder has been registered against them and they have been sent to judicial custody on Friday.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader rejected the 'Z' category security cover that was extended to him by the government.

He asked the government to reflect why the youth have been radicalised and referred to recent hate speeches made against him at a Dharam Sansad in Haridwar.

"I appeal to you to stop this hatred. I don't want Z category security. I want to be an A-category citizen, at par with you all. Why was UAPA [Unlawful Activities Prevention Act] not invoked against those who fired at me?" asked Mr. Owaisi, adding, "I want to live, to speak. My life will be safe when the poor are safe. I will not get scared of those who shot at my car."

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said Home Minister Amit Shah will make a statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday on the issue and informed that the State government has arrested the culprits and the weapons and vehicles used in the attack have been seized.

An MHA official said that after Thursday's attack a Z category security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was sanctioned.

"The CRPF has been assigned to take over his security, around 20-22 trained commandos will provide him round-the-clock proximate security," said the official.

The official added, "a CRPF team will approach Mr. Owaisi and if he has rejected the security cover he will have to give it in writing. MHA will further evaluate the situation based on the application."