Shaukat Ali, Uttar Pradesh president of the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), sparked a nationwide political controversy on Sunday after making remarks advocating higher population growth during a public meeting in Moradabad.
Addressing the gathering, Ali coined the slogan “Hum Do, Hamare Do Dozen” while speaking about population and what he described as the strength of numbers. He stated that he has eight children, while his elder brother has 16, and said he would encourage members of the Muslim community to have more children.
“We will ask Muslims to have as many children as possible,” Ali said, adding that population growth would strengthen the country. Referring to religious belief, he remarked that people should not hesitate to have children “as long as Allah keeps giving.”
Drawing a comparison with China, Ali said that countries with larger populations were more powerful. “China has a bigger population and is strong. If our population grows, the country will become stronger,” he said, questioning why concerns were being raised over population numbers.
Ali also made remarks addressing inter-community debates on population, stating that some individuals who do not marry themselves advise Hindus to have more children. He added, in a rhetorical tone, that population growth across communities would make the country stronger.
Apart from population-related comments, the AIMIM leader launched an attack on the Samajwadi Party during the rally. Naming former cabinet minister Kamal Akhtar, Ali alleged involvement in liquor trade in Moradabad, claiming that Akhtar owned a local bar while accusing AIMIM of acting as a “B-team” of the BJP.
Ali further raised concerns over mob lynching and alleged harassment of Muslims. He claimed that madrasas were being shut down in Moradabad, that religious institutions were being labelled as centres of extremism, and that Muslim women and men were facing harassment in public spaces. He also referred to incidents of mob violence allegedly linked to allegations of meat consumption and said Muslims felt unsafe even while travelling on public transport.
The remarks have drawn criticism from several quarters, with political leaders accusing Ali of making divisive and irresponsible statements. No official response from AIMIM central leadership had been issued at the time of filing this report.
