Asaduddin Owaisi slams Sena for seeking 'burqa ban', asks EC to take note
Hyderabad, May 1: Hitting out at the Shiv Sena for allegedly seeking a burqa ban, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party should know that the Constitution gives autonomy to individuals.
The article in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' on the matter was a grave violation of the Model Code of Conduct, claimed the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president. He asked the Election Commission to take immediate note of it.
The article was trying to create divisions and polarisation in society, he alleged.
"May I give them some knowledge, some gyan because they are ignorant... I am to remind them that the Supreme Court judgment on privacy, the supreme court judgment on (Article) 377 clearly lays down that choice.
"For Shiv Sena's ignorant people, I am spelling that out for them, choice, is now fundamental right," Owaisi told reporters here.
He said as per the Indian Constitution one can choose and do whatever they like.
"That is your autonomy. Unfortunately and deliberately, for all these Hindutva ignorant people, when you talk about constitution, they go completely mad about it.
"Because, they dont understand the pluralism of our country," he said.
Owaisi said the Shiv Sena was frustrated as "they are going to lose a huge number of seats in the elections".
"That is why they are indulging in what I called dog-vigil politics," he said.
In the report, published in Saamana, the Sena had said if burqa was banned in "Ravan's Lanka, then why not in Ram's Ayodhya."
"India is a country which celebrates every religion. It also celebrates people who don't believe in religion. It also celebrates Ravan, it also holds Ram in high esteem. This is India.
"They (Shiv Sena) talked so brave and bold that they will not go with Modi, but they did a trapeze act," said Owaisi, who is seeking re-election from Hyderabad in the Lok Sabha polls.
Asked about the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur's reported comments that people can give up burqa in national interest, Owaisi said such "nonsensical statements" were expected from her who has "had no hesitation in demeaning a martyr of this country (Hemant Karkare)."
What dress were convicted in Ajmer blast wearing, he asked, referring to the arrested persons' alleged association with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
"So, the fight against terrorism is not with dress. The fight against terrorism is that you have to fight that mindset," he said.
Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM on Shiv Sena's proposal to ban burqa: Shiv Sena is ignorant, SC judgement on privacy clearly lays down that choice is now a fundamental right. It's a violation of the MCC, I request EC to take immediate note of it, it's an attempt to create polarization. pic.twitter.com/i8DNFaZ2zK
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
