Ambedkar’s Constitution allows hijab-clad woman to become PM, says Owaisi
Solapur: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said the Constitution framed by B R Ambedkar allows every Indian citizen to aspire to the country’s highest offices, expressing his hope that a hijab-clad woman would one day become the Prime Minister, India Today reported.
Addressing an election meeting in Maharashtra’s Solapur amid campaigning for upcoming civic polls, Owaisi pointed to what he described as the inclusive nature of the Indian Constitution.
“The constitution of Pakistan clearly states that a person belonging to only one religion can become the Prime Minister of the country. Baba Sahib’s constitution says that any citizen of India can become Prime Minister, Chief Minister or mayor,” he said. “It is my dream that a day will come when a hijab-clad daughter will become the Prime Minister of this country.”
He also criticised what he termed the politics of hatred against Muslims, saying it would not last. “The hate that you are spreading against Muslims will not go on for long. Those who spread hate will come to an end,” he said. According to him, when compassion becomes the norm, people will realise “how their minds were poisoned”.
The remarks drew a sharp response from the BJP. Party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla questioned Owaisi’s call for inclusivity, asking him to first reflect it within his own party. “Hijabwali will become PM says Miyaan Owaisi. Constitution stops nobody, but I challenge you to make a Pasmanda or hijab-clad woman the president of AIMIM first,” Poonawalla said in a post on X.
During the same campaign, Owaisi reiterated his criticism of amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act made during the UPA government. He blamed the Congress for provisions that, according to him, have led to prolonged incarceration of undertrials.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, he said the law’s wording allowed for misuse.
“Using this very basis of ‘by any other means’, which the Congress had legislated, and about which I had already warned, today two young men who have been in jail for five and a half years did not get bail,” Owaisi said, asking whether any Congress leader had faced comparable imprisonment since independence.
The comments come amid intense campaigning for Mumbai’s civic elections scheduled for January 15, with results due on January 16. AIMIM is seeking to expand its presence in Maharashtra’s urban local bodies as constitutional rights and governance dominate the campaign trail.
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
