Owaisi hopeful of hijab-clad woman as PM: Ambedkar's Constitution allows this

Invoking a sharp contrast between India and Pakistan, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said the Constitution framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar guarantees every Indian the right to aspire to the country’s highest offices, declaring that his dream is to see a hijab-clad daughter become the Prime Minister one day.

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.”

‘HATE WILL NOT LAST’

Owaisi also took aim at what he called the politics of hatred against Muslims, insisting it would not endure. “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”.

BJP HITS BACK

The remarks drew a sharp response from the BJP. Party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla challenged Owaisi to reflect the same inclusivity within his own organisation. “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.

UAPA REMARKS RESURFACE

During the same campaign, Owaisi reiterated his criticism of amendments to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act made during the UPA government, blaming the Congress for what he described as years-long 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.

CIVIC POLL BACKDROP

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 footprint in Maharashtra’s urban local bodies as debates over constitutional rights, identity and governance take centre stage on the campaign trail.

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