AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday took a swipe at the BJP after Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Uzbekistan’s highest state honour, pointing out that the award came from the country associated with Mughal emperor Babur’s origins. He questioned how the BJP and the Sangh Parivar could continue using Babur’s name to attack the Opposition after Uzbekistan honoured the Indian Prime Minister.
Reacting to Modi being awarded the ‘Oliy Darajali Do'stlik’ Order, the highest state honour Uzbekistan gives to foreign leaders, the Hyderabad MP said he congratulated the BJP and highlighted that the country from which Babur came to India had honoured the Prime Minister.
Owaisi pointed out that Babur was from the Fergana Valley, located in present-day Uzbekistan, and remarked that Modi has increasingly been receiving honours during his international visits.
“Wherever the Prime Minister goes these days, he returns with an award. Congratulations,” Owaisi said.
The AIMIM leader also criticised the BJP and the wider Sangh Parivar for repeatedly invoking Babur in political attacks. He said it was ironic that Uzbekistan, Babur’s homeland, had now presented Modi with a prestigious award.
Owaisi called on the RSS and its supporters to reconsider their use of Babur’s name in political rhetoric.
“The Sangh needs to reflect on this,” he said, noting that Babur had frequently been used as a target in attacks against opponents, while Modi had now received a civilian honour from the very region associated with the Mughal emperor’s origins.
He questioned what the BJP and Sangh Parivar would now say about Babur, given that the Fergana Valley remains part of Uzbekistan.
Prime Minister Modi received Uzbekistan’s top honour for foreign leaders, the ‘Oliy Darajali Do'stlik’ Order, on Sunday during his visit to the Central Asian nation. The award recognises his role in 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 award adds to the list of major state and civilian honours Modi has received from nearly three dozen countries for his leadership and efforts to deepen bilateral relations.
In July, Indonesia presented Modi with its highest civilian honour, the ‘Bintang Adipurna’ of the Republic of Indonesia, citing his contribution to strengthening ties between the two countries.
In June, Seychelles awarded him its highest national honour, the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’, recognising his efforts in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
Earlier this year, Israel awarded Modi the ‘Medal of the Knesset’, making him the first person to receive the distinction.
In 2024, Russia honoured him with the ‘Order of St Andrew the Apostle’, its highest state decoration, for his role in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
The United States had also awarded Modi the ‘Legion of Merit’ in 2020, one of its highest honours, recognising his contribution to strengthening the India-US strategic relationship.
