A fresh political controversy has erupted in Moradabad after Shaukat Ali, the Uttar Pradesh chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, made an explosive remark encouraging people to have as many children as possible. Speaking at a public gathering, Ali coined a new slogan — “Hum Do, Hamare Do Darjan” — suggesting families should aim for two dozen children instead of the traditional “Hum Do, Hamare Do.” He went on to boast that he himself has eight children while his elder brother has sixteen, framing large families as a sign of strength rather than a burden.

Doubling down, Ali claimed that population growth makes a nation stronger and dismissed concerns over rising numbers as unnecessary fear-mongering. Drawing a comparison with China, he argued that countries with large populations hold greater global power, and insisted India should stop treating demographic growth as a problem. He even urged Hindus to have 14 children each, portraying rapid population increase as a patriotic duty. The remarks immediately triggered sharp reactions online and offline, with critics calling the statements reckless, irresponsible, and politically provocative in a country already struggling with unemployment, resource pressure, and infrastructure stress.

The speech didn’t stop at population issues. Ali also launched a blistering attack on the Samajwadi Party, accusing its leaders of hypocrisy and illegal liquor trade in Moradabad, while rejecting claims that AIMIM acts as a proxy for the Bharatiya Janata Party. He further alleged widespread harassment of Muslims, including madrasa closures, mob lynching, and public humiliation, claiming the situation had worsened to the point where even women were participating in harassment. The combination of demographic provocation and communal allegations has now placed AIMIM — and its chief Asaduddin Owaisi — back at the center of a growing political storm.