AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has lashed out at Union Minister Kiren Rijiju following the latter’s comment that minorities in India "get more" benefits and support from the government. In a sharp rebuttal, Owaisi asked, “Is it a benefit to be called Pakistani every day?” highlighting the constant societal bias and profiling faced by Indian Muslims.

Owaisi's response came after Rijiju emphasized in a recent interview that minority communities in India are not neglected, and in fact, receive more benefits than the majority in various sectors. This statement was intended to counter criticism regarding government treatment of minorities.

Owaisi challenged the minister’s viewpoint by pointing to everyday discrimination, limited access to justice, and the communal rhetoric often faced by Muslims and other minorities in the country. He stressed that structural inequalities and social targeting outweigh any statistical “benefits” that might be allocated under welfare schemes.

The exchange has reignited debates around secularism, minority rights, and the role of the state in addressing both perceived and real disparities. Political analysts argue that such confrontations reflect deeper divisions and underline the urgency of fostering more inclusive and empathetic discourse in Indian politics.