The controversy began after Elon Musk, the SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO, publicly questioned the delay in allowing Starlink, his satellite internet company.
Prefer HTon Google
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has rarely shied away from taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But when Elon Musk questioned the authority behind India’s decisions, the Hyderabad MP found himself challenging the BJP to stand up to the world’s richest man.
The controversy began after Musk, the SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO, publicly questioned the delay in allowing Starlink, his satellite internet company, to begin commercial operations in India.
It has since taken on a political dimension, with the Opposition using the dispute to question the government’s ties with big business, while Owaisi has turned it into a test of the BJP’s own nationalist credentials.
Also Read | After Rahul Gandhi, Asaduddin Owaisi moves SC against SIR; court agrees to hear plea on October 15
Owaisi questions BJP's response to Musk
Speaking to journalists in Hyderabad on Thursday (October 16), after AIMIM approached the Supreme Court over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Owaisi said his opposition to Modi did not mean he would endorse a foreigner questioning India’s political leadership, ANI reported.
"We were always against Narendra Modi and will remain so. But how can Elon Musk say this kind of thing about our India's Prime Minister?" he questioned.
"The sad thing is, why are the BJP and the Modi government so afraid of gorachamdi (white skin)?" he said, reported news agency ANI.
"Whenever you see white skin," Owaisi said, the BJP appears to become apprehensive.
"You will not cut the stomach of a country's citizens to fatten the stomach of some white man," Owaisi said, arguing that the interests of Indian workers and citizens must take precedence over those of powerful foreign businessmen.
Why Musk questioned Starlink's entry into India
Musk’s criticism of New Delhi began on October 7, triggering a public exchange with the government. He accused “certain oligarchs” of obstructing SpaceX’s satellite broadband arm, Starlink, in its efforts to secure spectrum access in India.
On October 8, the Communications Ministry rejected the allegations, calling suggestions of discrimination “baseless and misconceived.” It said India’s satellite communications framework was fair and non-discriminatory, adding that the security assessments of three entities were underway and that all were at “broadly the same regulatory stage.”
Hours later, Musk intensified his criticism, pointing out that Starlink was licensed to operate in more than 165 countries and had spent five years complying with Indian regulations.
“So why still no licence? Is Ambani the real boss of India?” he asked, referring to Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.
Also Read | Compete, but follow Indian laws: Reliance Industries after Elon Musk's remarks on Starlink entry
Reliance responds to Musk's allegations
Reliance Industries on Friday said it has never feared competition, responding to Musk’s remarks on the Indian market and Starlink’s entry.
The company said the government follows the same process for Indian and foreign applicants, adding that Jio’s satellite services were also awaiting clearances.
“Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people,” it said in a statement.
Priyanjali Narayan is a journalist with Hindustan Times based in New Delhi. She has over two years of experience covering national and international affairs, reporting on breaking news, producing in-depth explainers, and writing feature stories. Her work explores the political, social, and cultural dimensions of major events, with a focus on providing clear, nuanced, and accessible journalism for a broad audience.Before joining Hindustan Times, she was part of the India Today newsroom, where she specialised in explanatory journalism. There, she wrote detailed analyses of major domestic and international issues and produced feature stories that included interviews with prominent public figures. The role strengthened her ability to combine speed with depth in a fast-paced news environment.She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in History from the University of Delhi. Her academic training continues to shape her storytelling, grounding her work in historical context and research-driven insight.Outside the newsroom, she enjoys reading personal essays and fiction, and is often planning her next trip, always seeking stories that deepen her understanding of people and places.Read More