Owaisi said Modi’s Uzbek honour should prompt the Sangh to reflect, recalling past insults directed at Babur and his legacy.
Owaisi Congratulates PM Modi on Uzbekistan’s Highest Honour, Takes Dig at Babur Remarks
Tashkent/Hyderabad: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Uzbekistan’s highest state honour for foreign leaders, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi congratulated him while using the occasion to make a political point about historical references to Mughal emperor Babur.
Modi was conferred the ‘Oliy Darajali Do‘stlik Order’ by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his two-day visit to Uzbekistan. The award was presented in recognition of his contribution to strengthening relations between India and Uzbekistan.
Reacting to the honour on Sunday, August 30, Owaisi said he congratulated the BJP and pointed to Uzbekistan’s historical connection with Babur, who was born in the Fergana Valley region.
“I congratulate the BJP; the very country from which Babur came to India has conferred an award upon the Prime Minister,” Owaisi said.
He added that Modi appeared to be receiving honours in several countries and congratulated the Prime Minister on the latest recognition.
Owaisi then referred to criticism of Babur that has featured in political discourse in India. He questioned whether members of the Sangh Parivar and RSS supporters would now reconsider the manner in which Babur is discussed.
“You used to hurl so many insults in Babur’s name, yet the people of that very country are now honouring you with an award,” Owaisi said.
He further said the Sangh should reflect on the development and expressed hope that references to Babur would no longer be made in the same manner.
Modi dedicates Uzbekistan award to India-Uzbekistan ties
Modi, meanwhile, accepted the honour and dedicated it to the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
“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 Ministry of External Affairs said the Uzbek government had honoured Modi for his contribution towards strengthening friendship between India and Uzbekistan.
The award came during Modi’s two-day visit to Uzbekistan, where India and Uzbekistan discussed cooperation in several areas, including trade, clean energy and connectivity.
The recognition adds to Modi’s growing list of major state and civilian honours received from countries around the world. He has now been honoured by close to three dozen countries with various top-level awards.
For India and Uzbekistan, the visit was also an opportunity to highlight historical and cultural connections between the two nations while focusing on modern areas of cooperation.
‘Dostlik’ means friendship
Speaking after receiving the award, Modi highlighted the meaning of the Uzbek word ‘Dostlik’ , which translates to friendship.
He noted that the word is familiar to Indians and said that people in India use the term frequently.
“There is hardly a family in India where the word ‘Dostlik’ is not spoken a hundred times a day,” Modi said.
He said the Uzbek decision to honour him had captured the spirit of friendship between the two countries.
According to Modi, the word itself expresses the sentiment at the heart of India-Uzbekistan relations. His remarks placed the award not simply in the context of his individual recognition, but also as a symbol of the relationship between New Delhi and Tashkent.
The honour and Owaisi’s reaction have since drawn attention for very different reasons. While the Prime Minister highlighted diplomacy, friendship and bilateral ties, the AIMIM chief used the occasion to raise a political argument about historical figures and the way Babur has been discussed in Indian politics.
PM Narendra Modi received Uzbekistan’s highest honour for foreign leaders.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred the honour on Modi.
Modi dedicated the award to India-Uzbekistan friendship .
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi congratulated Modi on the recognition.
Owaisi highlighted Uzbekistan’s connection with Babur and the Fergana Valley .
He questioned the Sangh Parivar’s historical references to Babur .
Modi was on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan focused on trade, clean energy and connectivity.
The MEA said the award recognised Modi’s contribution to bilateral friendship .
Modi explained that ‘Dostlik’ means friendship , describing it as a symbol of the relationship between the two countries.