Former AMUTA members back Azam

“We strongly oppose any sort of hate mongering because it is anti-national but what Azam said cannot be labelled as hate mongering,” he said.

“In stark contrast to this,” Ahmad added, “we are watching with alarm when hate speeches are being delivered in front of the BJP's PM candidate and these are being treated just as minor violations when in fact they should be treated as incendiary remarks of the worse type.”

On April 11, the EC had barred both Azam Khan and Amit Shah from holding public meetings, processions or roadshows in UP and had asked the authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against them.

However, on April 17 it revoked the ban on shah after he assured the poll body that he would not disturb the public tranquility and law and order.