Owaisi Slams “Love Jihad” Claims in Nashik TCS Case, Calls Media Coverage Unfair
AIMIM chief says the case should be decided in court and warns against targeting educated Muslim youth through public narratives.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised the political and media handling of the Nashik TCS case involving allegations of sexual exploitation and forced religious conversion.
Addressing reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Owaisi said the matter should remain within the legal system and not be turned into a media spectacle. He stressed that only the courts have the authority to decide the outcome of the case.
He said there are currently nine FIRs linked to the matter, including one against Nida Khan for allegedly hurting religious sentiments. Owaisi strongly objected to what he described as a “media trial” and argued that public discussions were unfairly portraying the accused as guilty before any court verdict.
The AIMIM leader claimed that educated Muslim youth are being deliberately targeted through such controversies. He expressed confidence that the judiciary would eventually clear the accused if evidence fails to support the allegations.
Owaisi also questioned the focus on religious items reportedly recovered during police searches. Referring to reports about the seizure of burqas, hijabs, and Islamic books, he said such items are commonly found in Muslim homes and do not prove criminal activity.
He further stated that allegations alone cannot establish guilt and reminded that the burden of proof lies with investigators and complainants. Drawing comparisons with past terror related cases such as the 2006 Malegaon blasts and Mumbai train blasts investigations, he said several accused people had spent years facing allegations before eventually being acquitted.
The controversy has intensified after police alleged that AIMIM corporator Matin Patel provided shelter to Nida Khan. Patel has also been booked in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat has accused AIMIM leaders of supporting Khan and demanded a Special Investigation Team investigation, alleging a larger “love jihad” conspiracy.
Nashik Police are currently probing multiple complaints related to alleged harassment and conversion attempts at the Tata Consultancy Services office. Nida Khan and several others have already been arrested as part of the investigation.
The case has triggered strong political reactions across Maharashtra. Leaders from the ruling alliance have targeted AIMIM over the issue, while opposition parties and minority groups have raised concerns about communal narratives and the nature of media coverage.