New Delhi, August 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The BJP and Shiv Sena on Monday criticised AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his remarks linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest state honour from Uzbekistan to Mughal emperor Babur’s origins, while a Samajwadi Party spokesperson said Muslim invaders and Mughal rulers should not be viewed as the same.
Owaisi, who represents Hyderabad in the Lok Sabha, had on Sunday congratulated the BJP while referring to Uzbekistan as the country from which Babur came to India. His remarks followed Modi being conferred the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik, Uzbekistan’s highest state honour.
“I congratulate the BJP; the very country from which Babur came to India has conferred an award upon the Prime Minister,” Owaisi had said.
He also noted that Babur belonged to the Fergana Valley in present-day Uzbekistan and remarked that Modi routinely receives honours during foreign visits.
“Wherever the Prime Minister goes these days, he returns with an award. Congratulations,” Owaisi said.
BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain accused Owaisi of being unhappy with the honour and said recognition given to Modi by Uzbekistan should be viewed as recognition for India.
“If Babar came, that country is different. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi got the highest honour of that country, then this is not PM Modi’s honour, it is India’s honour,” Hussain told IANS.
He added that Modi had received the highest honours from countries across the world, including Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Islamic countries.
Union Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey also dismissed Owaisi’s remarks as “frivolous”, saying neither the public nor the media took him seriously.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC launched a sharper attack, accusing Owaisi of seeing Babur “in everything”. She said his reference to the Mughal emperor reflected an inability to look beyond him and added, “Probably, Babur is in your DNA.”
Meanwhile, SP spokesperson Ashutosh Verma said Muslim invaders and Mughal rulers represented different historical categories and should not be clubbed together.
“The Mughals were also part of India’s history, and during their time, India made significant progress as well. The country also suffered destruction at the hands of invaders. You cannot put both things in the same box,” Verma said.
The exchange followed Modi’s receipt of Uzbekistan’s highest state honour during his foreign engagement with the Central Asian country.
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