On 19 February 2020, during a rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Pathan said, "Remember we are 15 crore but can dominate over 100 crore."[11] He was criticised for his comment. After this incident an FIR was filed against him.[12] In his defence, Pathan said the "100" in his statement was not in reference to the 100 crore Hindus in India, as the media and BJP had suggested, but to those "100 people" who are engaging in anti-Muslim politics.[13] AIMIM Maharashtra unit chief Imtiyaz Jaleel said that the party will seek an explanation from Pathan over his remark.[14]