A major political controversy has erupted following a statement by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi that a woman wearing a hijab could one day become the Prime Minister of India. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners have reacted sharply, leading to a heated debate on secularism, constitutional rights, and national identity.
Strong Condemnation from BJP Leaders
Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh issued a strong rebuttal on Saturday. He accused Owaisi of harboring divisive intentions, linking his remark to the concept of 'Ghazwa-e-Hind'. Singh asserted that such thinking would not be allowed to undermine the country's integrity. He blamed the Congress party's past appeasement policies for creating an environment for such statements and vowed that no second Pakistan would be formed in India. "The Constitution will prevail, and the rule of law will be enforced," he declared.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented a nuanced but firm perspective. While acknowledging the constitutional position that there is no religious bar on holding the prime minister's office, he emphasized India's civilizational character. "Constitutionally, there is no bar on anyone becoming the Prime Minister. But India is a Hindu nation and we strongly believe that the Prime Minister of India will always be a Hindu," Sarma stated, highlighting a central tension in the debate.
Owaisi's Original Provocation and Opposition Response
The row originated from Owaisi's address at a public gathering in Solapur, Maharashtra, on Friday. Contrasting India's constitution with Pakistan's, he said, "Baba Saheb Ambedkar's Constitution says any Indian citizen can become Prime Minister... One day a daughter wearing a hijab will become the Prime of India." He also predicted that parties spreading hatred against Muslims would not last long.
Reactions from opposition and alliance partners varied. Bihar Congress MLC Samir Kumar Singh cautioned against communalizing the issue, reminding that Muslims like President Zakir Husain have held high offices. He warned that Hindu-Muslim politics had already caused immense social damage.
Leaders from NDA constituents in Bihar also weighed in. LJP (Ram Vilas) minister Sanjay Kumar Paswan asked Owaisi to stop making such statements. HAM(S) chief Santosh Kumar Suman said that while dreaming is not bad, ultimate power rests with voters who chose PM Modi. "Kisi ke kahane se kuch nahi hota hai (Nothing happens by mere saying)," he remarked.
Constitutional Debate and Political Point-Scoring
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala targeted Owaisi's political practice while engaging in the constitutional argument. "There is no restriction in the Constitution... Anyone can become PM, but first, win the votes," Poonawala said. He challenged Owaisi to first appoint a hijab-wearing woman or a person from the Pasmanda community as the president of his own party.
The incident has sparked a complex discussion that intertwines constitutional secularism, majoritarian cultural identity, and electoral politics. While one side stresses the letter of the law that guarantees equality of opportunity, the other emphasizes historical and civilizational context, setting the stage for continued political discourse on the nature of Indian democracy.
