Waris Pathan Withdraws His Controversial Statement, Calls It 'Political Conspiracy'

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Waris Pathan has withdrawn his ’15 crore Muslims’ remarks saying that his statement is being twisted to defame him. “My statement is being twisted to target and defame me and my party due to a political conspiracy. However, I take back my words if they hurt anyone and apologise for the same,” the AIMIM leaders said on Saturday.

Pathan had sparked controversy by saying “we are just 15 crore, but we can be heavy on the 100 crore.” He made this statement while addressing an event held in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Kalaburagi, Karnataka. He added that the minority community could well snatch ‘your azaadi’.

Meanwhile, the AIMIM spokesperson and former MLA from Mumbai’s Byculla has been booked by the Kalaburagi police for the controversial speech he made.

Earlier on Friday, the BJP alleged that Pathan's controversial remarks show the conspiracy going on in the name of anti-CAA protest and questioned the "silence of liberals" opposing the law.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in the national capital, party spokesperson Sambhit Patra said Pathan's remarks show the conspiracy going on in the name of protest against the CAA.

"I want to ask all the so-called liberals, who have been opposing CAA, why are they silent on his remarks," Patra asked.

It also vindicates that ladies who are sitting in Shaheen Bagh are just being used as a shield to further the cause of hatred, Patra added.

However, Maharashtra Minister Balasaheb Thorat on Friday said the AIMIM was the "B team" of the BJP. He was replying to questions on AIMIM leader Waris Pathan's reported statement that 15 crore Muslims would be more than a match for 100 crore Hindus.

"AIMIM is the B team of BJP and they are making such statements as they have been unable to divide society on CAA and NRC," Thorat said.