“If Sangh Parivar Had Worked for the Nation, Modi May Not Have Sold Chai”: Owaisi Slams PM Over ‘Puncture’ Remark; Opposition Erupts

New Delhi, April 15, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has found himself at the center of a political storm following a controversial remark made during the inauguration of an airport in Hisar, Haryana, where he linked Muslim youth to bicycle puncture repairs, triggering widespread outrage from opposition parties, civil society, and commentators.

“If Waqf properties had been used honestly, Muslim youths wouldn’t need to earn a livelihood from repairing bicycle punctures,” Modi said during his speech. The comment has drawn sharp criticism for being “insensitive,” “divisive,” and for perpetuating caste and religious stereotypes.

Owaisi: “If Sangh Parivar Had Worked for the Nation, Modi May Not Have Sold Chai”

Leading the charge was AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, who retorted with a stinging counter: “If the thinking and property of the Sangh Parivar were used in the interest of the country, Modi would not have to sell tea.” He accused the Prime Minister of scapegoating Muslims to distract from governance failures. “What has Modi done for poor Indians – Hindus or Muslims – in the last 11 years? 33% of Indians are without jobs or education,” he added.

Owaisi also pointed out that the weak legal framework and administration around Waqf properties had been historically neglected, and claimed Modi’s Waqf Amendment would only further weaken them, not strengthen Muslim welfare.

Opposition Condemns Modi’s Language as ‘Troll-Level’ and Anti-Poor

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi criticized the language used by the Prime Minister, likening it to social media trolls. “If the Prime Minister uses such superficial language, then he insults the dignity of the post,” he said.

Samajwadi Party’s Abu Azmi hit out at the BJP for its lack of Muslim representation in the Parliament. “If Muslims are poor and fixing punctures, then which Muslim have you made an MP, MLA, or minister?” he asked. “With all the temple properties, has the condition of poor Hindus improved?” he questioned, while accusing the government of land-grabbing under the guise of reforming the Waqf.

He added that multiple Supreme Court panels have confirmed the socio-economic conditions of Muslims in India are worse than even Dalits, and slammed the government for revoking the Haj subsidy, allegedly “to build hostels,” while not delivering tangible benefits to the Muslim community.

Congress and Civil Society Speak Out

Congress spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed took to social media platform X to slam Modi. “He mocks Muslim youth by saying they run puncture shops, but when Congress brings minority welfare schemes, they call it appeasement. It’s not the Congress or Waqf—it’s you and your government, Mr. Modi, that’s keeping Muslims underdeveloped,” she wrote.

Congress Delhi coordinator Apurva Bhardwaj posted a strongly worded critique, accusing Modi of using symbolic professions—like selling tea or fixing tires—for political manipulation. “These professions stand on dignity and hard work, yet the ‘Sahab’ has turned them into political punchlines,” he wrote. He further added, “This isn’t love — it’s political posturing. This isn’t respect — it’s soft humiliation.”

Public Figures Join Chorus of Dissent

Noted literary critic Purushottam Agarwal condemned the derogatory tone in Modi’s comment: “Repairing punctures or frying pakoras is not shameful. But using them insultingly reflects a low mentality.”

Journalist Awesh Tiwari, in a viral post, highlighted the deep-rooted contributions of Muslims to India. “Muslims don’t just repair punctures, Modi ji. They build missiles, destroy enemy tanks, make Rooh Afza that the whole country enjoys, and have laid down their lives for India’s freedom.”

Pattern of Controversial Remarks

This isn’t the first time Modi has stirred controversy over remarks perceived to be anti-Muslim. During a campaign rally in Banswara, Rajasthan on April 21, 2024, he referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” and claimed that the Congress, if elected, would redistribute wealth to “those who have more children,” a dog whistle widely seen as targeting the Muslim community.

Conclusion

As opposition voices grow louder and social media fills with condemnation, Prime Minister Modi’s latest comment may deepen the already growing perception of systemic marginalization of Muslims under his rule. While the Prime Minister has not responded to the backlash yet, political analysts believe this latest controversy could become a significant flashpoint in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.