AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who is also a Lok Sabha MP, called on Friday that he is dreaming a day when a hijab-clad daughter would be the Prime Minister of India, referring to the Indian Constitution, especially the spirit of secularism, as provided by Dr B.R. Ambedkar. His statements were leveled at a mass rally in Solapur, Maharashtra and created strong political responses among the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Siv Sena.
Speaking to the meeting, Owaisi added that the Constitution ensured an equal opportunity to all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs or the way they dress. The Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar has made it very clear that any Indian citizen can gain the position of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or even a mayor. I would also like to see the day when a hijab-wearing daughter will be made a Prime Minister of this country, he said. He concluded that the current generation might not be alive to witness such a time but he is confident that day would come sometime.
Owaisi also made the parallel with Pakistan, saying that its Constitution limits a post of Prime Minister to the adherents of a certain religion. In contrast to India, the Constitution of Pakistan plainly states that only an individual of a single religion may become Prime Minister, a point that he made to emphasize the constitutional adherence to secularism and inclusiveness in India.
Shortly after the utterance made by Owaisi BJP national spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawala, counterattacked him. Going to social media platform X, Poonawala called on Owaisi to first apply his ideals in his party. Hijabwali will be PM according to Miyaan Owaisi. Miyaan Owaisi nothing will prevent anyone, but I dare you to first turn a Pasmanda Muslim or a hijab-bound woman into the president of AIMIM, wrote he.
The comments have led to a new political argument with the advocates of the idea considering the word of Owaisi to be a call of inclusivity and empowerment, and the detractors have seen Owaisi as saying symbolic words without any internal party reform.
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