Et tu, Asad?

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. But how many will measure up on this yardstick? Not many. Leaders are good at selling pretty radical ideas but when it comes to action they fail to walk the talk.

Majlis leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, is in the news these days for just this. Controversy is nothing new to him or his party. They court it at the drop of a hat. But this time round the Hyderabad MP is at the receiving end - not from his opponents but well wishers. He is being targeted - nay lampooned by his admirers for not living up to his own words.

Ever since the betrothal ceremony of his daughter on March 24 he is being trolled for tossing austerity to the winds, a virtue he passionately advocated. Many of his ardent fans couldn't believe the pictures of the grand ceremony that went viral on the social media. Is it the same Asad bhai who pleads with the community to adhere to Shariah and perform marriages in the simplest way possible  - devoid of pomp and pageantry?

Management is doing things right while leadership is doing the right things. Is it too much to expect one to practice what one preaches? Many would think the Majlis leader is being unnecessarily pilloried for indulging in a bit of extravagance befitting his stature. After all he has not committed any cardinal sin by spending his own money. But that's exactly what has shocked many Muslims who took his speeches on austerity in marriages literally. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and action. Mr. Owaisi appears to have slipped up on this. He has a pan Indian image of being an outspoken leader who stands up to the Muslim-baiters and matches them word to word in TV debates. The community looks up to him as a protector and follower of Shariah in letter and spirit. Sporting a beard, complete with cap, sherwani-pyjama, the bespectacled Lincoln's Inn educated barrister, fluent in English and Urdu, familiar with the rough and tumble of politics and the nitty-gritty of Shariah principles is what a demoralised and dispirited Muslim community badly needs and craves for. Now this contrasting image of a leader who is behaving like any other affluent politician with utter disregard to what he says and does has not gone down well with the people, especially those with a conscience.

The lavish party thrown by him for the engagement ceremony of his daughter evokes the grandeur of the Nizams. The sumptuous spread, the elegant cutlery, the tastefully decorated stage, trolleys laden with exotic perfume vials - and to top it all the rhythmic Arabic daf - is a big letdown, something not expected from a leading member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. When juxtaposed with follow-the-Shariah message Owaisi sahib is trying to send through the 'Islahe Muashra' campaign, the whole thing appears a cruel joke. Even in his election speeches the Naqeeb-e-Millat squeezes in a bit of advice to the community to adhere to Shariah. No wonder many people, even hardcore Majlis fans, are unable to digest this yawning gap between precept and practice.

Many have taken to the social media to express their angst and disappointment. Twitterdom is awash with sarcastic remarks slamming the qaid for his hypocrisy. Some have cited the example of the marriage of  former Pakistan President, General Ziaul Haq's daughter in an incredibly simple way. People are left to see the glaring difference and draw their own inferences. Mr. Owaisi  commands mass following and therefore the lapse on his part is all the more agonizing.

This, of course, doesn't take away the many good aspects of this dynamic leader who never hesitates to call a spade a spade. But the dichotomy sticks out like a sore thumb. Mr. Owaisi ought to take the criticism in good spirit. A good leader should be ready to take a little more than his share of the blame, and a little less than his share of credit.

Khugar-e-Hamd Se Thoda Sa Gila Bhi Sun Le

(From lips accustomed to praise hear these words in blame of you)

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.