Reacting to Home Minister Amit Shah's request to Asaduddin Owaisi to accept ‘Z category’ security offered by the government, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief said on Monday that he does not like people with weapons around him.
"Today in the parliament, Home Minister Amit Shah asked me to accept ‘Z category’ security. I want to say to him that value of my life is not more than 22 people who died during CAA protest," he said.
I am a free bird, want to live freely, Owaisi said, adding, "I don't like people with arms around me."
On Thursday, Owaisi’s convoy of four cars was attacked at a toll plaza on Hapur on NH 24 when he was on his way back from an election-related programme from Meerut, in Uttar Pradesh.
After the incident, the AIMIM chief, in a tweet, had said he is not afraid, nor is he going to take security. "I will continue my election campaign... if they have courage, then attempt to kill me.”
On Monday, Shah said a government assessment has found that Owaisi still faces security threat, and requested the latter to accept the security offered to him. "Through the House, I would like to request Owaisi ji to accept the security to address our concerns about his safety," the home minister had said.
