Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Ministers on Tuesday sharply rebuked All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi over his comments on the Ram Temple Trust embezzlement investigation, accusing him of pursuing 'politics of appeasement' and asserting that only those with criminal records have died in police encounters in the state.

What Owaisi Said

Addressing a rally in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, the Hyderabad MP took aim at the state government while commenting on the Ram Mandir Trust case. 'They should have kept a Muslim in the temple trust and closed the case with his encounter and by bulldozing his house. But currently the accused are enjoying,' Owaisi said, implying that the authorities would have acted more harshly had a Muslim been implicated.

UP Ministers Hit Back

Uttar Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar directly challenged Owaisi's framing. 'Till date those persons have been killed in encounters in the state who are criminals and involved in terrorism-related activities. Tell me one innocent person who has been encountered,' he said. Rajbhar further noted that at least two individuals are routinely arrested from Azamgarh — described as a Samajwadi Party stronghold — in connection with terror incidents, adding: 'If he is linking it to religion, then it's his take.'

Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad questioned the religious framing of the controversy. 'If a Hindu were appointed to the Waqf Board, then perhaps a Muslim would be involved here. One should not bring up the Hindu-Muslim issue. I feel that such statements are inappropriate,' he said.

Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap alleged that Owaisi's political agenda centres on divisive rhetoric rather than development. 'Would he ever speak of having an investigation conducted into the Jama Masjid? Would he ever call for an inquiry into any mausoleum or mosque? This is Sanatan Dharma, the religion of Hindus. Here, people endure everything; they submit to investigations and even go to jail,' Kashyap said. He further alleged: 'Owaisi's main agenda is not the development of Uttar Pradesh or the country; he wants to do politics based on a policy of appeasement, which is not accepted in the state.'

Religious Voices Weigh In

Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, Peethadheeshwar of the Tapasvi Chhawani in Ayodhya, called Owaisi's statement 'baseless.' 'Has any Hindu ever been kept in Mecca or Medina where there are mosques, or has any Hindu been made a trustee there? These are meaningless arguments. When idol worship is considered forbidden in Islam, how can a Muslim become a trustee at a place where idol worship takes place?' he said.

A Dissenting View

Not everyone rejected Owaisi's remarks. All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi came out in support of the AIMIM chief, arguing that the differential treatment allegation holds merit. 'It is true that if the name of an Abdul had been involved, he would have been beaten by now. By now, he would have faced an encounter, his house would have been bulldozed, and a public parade would have been conducted. It is unfortunate that those who have betrayed people's faith are being protected through SITs and inquiry committees. The real culprits are being shielded,' Rashidi said. He also alleged that former General Secretary of the Ram Temple Trust Champat Rai is 'the main accused in this case' and that Hindus have rallied to defend him.

This comes amid a broader political debate over the Ram Temple Trust embezzlement investigation, which has drawn scrutiny from multiple quarters and placed the Uttar Pradesh government on the defensive. The episode reflects a recurring pattern in which statements by Owaisi — known for provocative political interventions — trigger coordinated responses from ruling-party figures. How the investigation proceeds will likely determine whether the controversy fades or intensifies.