Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday turned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest foreign honour in Uzbekistan into a political taunt against the BJP, saying the honour came from the country from which Mughal emperor Babur originated. He asked how the BJP and the Sangh Parivar could now invoke Babur’s name to target the Opposition after the country of his birth honoured the Prime Minister.
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Reacting to PM Modi being conferred the Order of ‘Oliy Darajali Dustlik’, Uzbekistan’s highest state award, the Hyderabad MP said, “I congratulate the BJP; the very country from which Babur came to India has conferred an award upon the Prime Minister.”
Owaisi noted that Babur belonged to the Fergana Valley in present-day Uzbekistan and said it has become routine for Prime Minister Modi to receive honours during his foreign visits.
“Wherever the Prime Minister goes these days, he returns with an award. Congratulations,” Owaisi said.
The AIMIM chief also took aim at the BJP and the broader Sangh Parivar over references to Babur in political discourse. “You used to shower so many insults in Babur’s name, yet the people of that very country are now honouring you with an award,” the MP added.
Owaisi said the development should prompt introspection within the RSS and its supporters.
“The Sangh needs to reflect on this. You used to abuse us, invoking Babur. And now you have been given a civilian award from the very place where Babur came from. We hope that people of the Sangh Parivar and those who support the RSS will no longer take Babur’s name in this manner, because the Fergana Valley is there, in Uzbekistan. Now what will they say? he asked.
PM Modi was conferred with Uzbekistan’s highest honour for foreign leaders on Sunday, the ‘Oliy Darajali Do’stlik’ Order, during his visit to the Central Asian country. The honour recognises his contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership and friendship between India and Uzbekistan.
“Honoured to receive the Oliy Darajali Do’stlik Order. I dedicate this to the enduring bond between India and Uzbekistan,” Modi said in a social media post.
The Uzbek honour adds to a list of top state and civilian awards conferred on PM Modi by close to three dozen countries in recognition of his leadership and contribution to bilateral ties.
In July, Indonesia conferred upon Modi its highest civilian award, the ‘Bintang Adipurna of the Republic of Indonesia’, recognising his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
In June, Seychelles conferred its highest national honour, the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, on Modi in recognition of his leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Earlier this year, Israel conferred upon him the ‘Medal of the Knesset’, making him the first recipient of the honour.
Russia conferred upon Modi the ‘Order of St. Andrew the Apostle’ in 2024, the country’s highest state decoration, for his contribution to deepening the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
The United States also awarded Modi one of the country’s top honours, the ‘Legion of Merit’, in 2020 in recognition of his leadership in strengthening the India-US strategic partnership.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
