Lucknow: On Monday, amid the raging controversy over Lok Sabha election dates clashing with the Muslim holy month of Ramzan, senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan shocked everyone with his comments that ‘Muslims are tenants in this country’. Notably, Khan asked why did the Election Commission fail to take Ramzan into consideration while finalising the Lok Sabha poll dates. “Why are we treated like tenants in our own country?” he asked.

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Khan sought to raise doubts over the poll panel and said it has taken into consideration other festivals in the past, “then why not our festival?” Khan said  “They should have certainly taken care of it. But I say this to you that after 1947, we stayed back on our own, we could have gone to Pakistan; Hindus could not have. Earlier, the RSS used to say that it will make us second and third grade citizens, today we call ourselves tenants in this country,”. The SP leader’s shocker came after Trinamool Congress leader and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim questioned the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, saying the lengthy schedule will make it arduous for Muslims observing Ramzan in the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh to cast their votes.

However, to this, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said the controversy was uncalled for. The AIMIM chief told "This whole controversy is totally uncalled for and unnecessary. I would request the political parties not to use the Muslim community and Ramzan for whatever reasons you have,". He added "Muslims will definitely fast in Ramzan and will keep doing their regular work during the fast. They go out and lead a normal life. They work and go to the office. My analysis is that this month which increases spiritualism in Muslims will lead to more voting percentage because I will be free from worldly duties,".

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Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also slammed the controversy. He said "Those who observe Ramzan have no issues but political leaders have. Holi is coming, Navratri is coming. Last year, Kairana bypolls happened during Ramzan. BJP lost that bypoll. Polls happen during festivals as well,".The Election Commission, meanwhile, also reacted and said that it was not possible to exclude a full month for Ramzan during the conduct of the Lok Sabha elections. “During Ramzan, polls are conducted as a full month cannot be excluded. However, date of main festival and Fridays are avoided for poll days,” the EC stated.