Opposition leaders in India have criticised the BJP-led government over the killing of Atiq Ahmed's sons, Asad and Mohammed Ghulam, in a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh. Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, said the BJP conducted such encounters in the name of religion. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and spokesman Amik Jamei, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and BSP chief Mayawati, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra too criticised the UP STF action against the two men. The police have said they killed Asad and Ghulam because they were planning to free their father from custody.