AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday, July 26, 2026, took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the government grows fearful every time citizens take to the streets. The remark, posted in Hindi on X, distils a recurring opposition argument into a single pointed line.

What Owaisi Said

The post reads: 'Jab-jab janta sadak par utarti hai, tab-tab Narendra Modi darta hai' — loosely translated as, 'Every time the public comes out onto the streets, Narendra Modi grows afraid.' The statement is brief but pointed, framing mass protest as a direct political check on the central government.

Owaisi, the Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad, accompanied the post with a video, the contents of which are not independently verifiable at the time of publication. The Hindi phrasing uses a classical rhetorical device — the repeated 'jab-jab…tab-tab' (whenever…then) construction — to suggest a consistent pattern rather than an isolated episode.

Context

AIMIM has long positioned itself as a vocal critic of the BJP-led central government, particularly on matters touching minority rights, citizenship law, and federal relations. Owaisi has addressed mass rallies and parliamentary sessions alike to argue that government policies have marginalised sections of the citizenry.

The statement echoes a line of argument the opposition has deployed repeatedly since at least 2019-2020, when nationwide demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) drew millions onto the streets. Opposition leaders, including Owaisi, addressed those gatherings and accused the government of responding with administrative pressure rather than dialogue.

Policy Backdrop

Indian opposition parties have consistently framed public demonstrations as a barometer of popular discontent with central government decisions — whether on economic policy, citizenship legislation, or agrarian laws. The argument that a government 'fears' street protests is a standard rhetorical move in parliamentary democracies, used to signal that formal institutions alone are insufficient checks on executive power.

AIMIM's political base is concentrated in Hyderabad and parts of Maharashtra, but the party has sought a wider national profile by intervening in high-visibility debates. Statements on protest and governance allow the party to speak beyond its core constituency to a broader opposition audience.

Stakeholders and Impact

The immediate audience for such messaging is the urban, politically engaged citizenry that follows opposition leaders on social media, as well as the party's own cadre ahead of any forthcoming state or national electoral cycle. For protesting citizens and civil-society groups, the post functions as a signal of solidarity from a parliamentary voice.

The BJP and the central government have not, as of publication, responded to this specific post. The government has historically characterised opposition-backed protest narratives as politically motivated disruptions rather than genuine public mandates.

What's Next

The specific trigger for Owaisi's July 26 post remains unverified; the precise protest or event that prompted it is not confirmed from available information. Parliamentary sessions and state-level agitations in the coming weeks will likely determine whether this remark becomes the opening salvo in a sustained opposition campaign or remains a standalone commentary. Any new legislation or executive action touching civil liberties or minority rights could sharpen the political temperature further.