Opposition slams PM Modi’s 'puncture repair' remark, calls it insensitive, divisive
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks about Muslim youth "repairing punctures" have sparked strong criticism from Opposition leaders across the political spectrum. Speaking at the inauguration of an airport in Hisar, Haryana, the Prime Minister alleged misuse of Waqf properties and suggested that honest use of these assets could have improved the livelihoods of Muslim youth.
“If Waqf properties had been used honestly, Muslim youths wouldn’t have to earn a living by repairing bicycle punctures,” the Prime Minister stated. He also alleged that land mafias benefited from these properties instead of the intended beneficiaries, including Dalits, backward communities, and widows. He said the recently amended Waqf law would curb such misuse.
Reacting sharply, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit back, questioning what the government had done for the poor—Hindus or Muslims—in its 11 years in power. He also accused the Centre of further weakening already fragile Waqf laws.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi condemned the Prime Minister’s choice of words, calling it language typical of online trolls. “Muslims don’t just fix punctures. There are no jobs, and the youth are left with no other options. This doesn’t suit the stature of a Prime Minister,” he said.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi raised questions about BJP’s commitment to inclusivity, asking why the party does not give election tickets to Muslims.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate further questioned why PM Modi did not pay homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and asked why BJP has not appointed a Dalit Chief Minister.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, now passed into law, was opposed by the Congress and other Opposition parties, who allege that the legislation targets the minority community and aims to seize control of Waqf properties. The BJP, however, maintains that the amendments are necessary for efficient management of these assets.
मोदी ने कहा कि अगर वक़्फ़ की संपत्तियों का ठीक से इस्तेमाल होता तो मुसलमान नौजवानों को पंक्चर नहीं बनाना पड़ता। अगर संघ परिवार की सोच और संपत्ति देशहित में इस्तेमाल होती, तो मोदी को चाय नहीं बेचनी पड़ती। पिछले 11 साल में मोदी ने ग़रीब भारतीयों — हिंदू या मुसलमान — के लिए क्या…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 14, 2025
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PM Modi is 'fooling people' with regard to Pahalgam terror strike
Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "fooling people" with regard to the Pahalgam terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir.
The chief minister also said the prime minister did not attend the all-party meeting conveyed by the Centre, post the attack, but took part in an election rally in Bihar.
"The prime minister should have been there during the all-party meeting. He had gone to electioneering in Bihar. So what is important to him? He is putting ‘Topi’ (hat) on people (meaning fooling people)," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
He was responding to a query of India’s response to the terror attack.
The chief minister said, "There is no need for war. We are not in favour of it. We should take stringent measures. That’s it. Security should be beefed up."
There should be peace in the country. People should be protected and the Centre should initiate security measures, he added.
To a question about the union government's directives to states to send back Pakistani nationals, the CM said, "We will cooperate. We will send back the Pakistani nationals and inform the Centre about it. Right now, we do not have information about the number of Pakistanis residing in Karnataka."
According to the CM, Pakistani nationals are in the major cities of the state, but most of them are in Bengaluru.
Siddaramaiah reiterated that the Pahalgam terror strike was the outcome of security lapse.
Terrorists opened fire at a tourist location near Kashmir's Pahalgam town on the afternoon of April 22, killing 26 people, mostly tourists.
