Owaisi’s big charge on Centre over SIR, says BJP using EC to ‘snatch citizenship’

NEW DELHI: Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday alleged that the BJP-led Central government was attempting to “snatch citizenship rights” through the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.Addressing a public meeting held as part of the 68th Revival Day celebrations of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen in Hyderabad, the AIMIM president claimed that after Bihar, the SIR would be undertaken in Telangana and Maharashtra.“I appeal to the people to ensure that when the SIR is conducted, all genuine names are included. The BJP wants to snatch citizenship through the SIR. It is attempting to do so by conducting the revision through the Election Commission (EC),” he alleged, according to PTI. Election authorities in Telangana have indicated that the SIR of electoral rolls in the state is likely to be announced during April–May this year.Separately, Owaisi condemned the alleged harassment of a Muslim bun vendor by certain YouTubers during the recently held Medaram Jatara in Telangana. He demanded that the state police register cases against those involved.“He (the vendor) was selling kova bun, but you (YouTubers) see ‘food jihad’ in it. If you did not like the food, you should have informed the police. You are enemies of the country. I condemn this and demand that action be taken against the YouTubers,” Owaisi claimed