Overview
- At a Solapur rally, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said the Constitution allows any citizen to be prime minister and voiced a dream of a hijab-clad woman leading India, contrasting this with Pakistan’s restrictions.
- Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded that India is a Hindu nation and asserted the PM will always be Hindu, prompting Owaisi on Sunday to accuse him of ignoring the Constitution in a pointed rejoinder.
- BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla challenged Owaisi to first appoint a Pasmanda Muslim or a hijab-wearing woman as AIMIM president.
- Maharashtra minister Nitish Rane dismissed the notion with exclusionary remarks about hijab-wearing women holding office, while other BJP and Shiv Sena voices called Owaisi’s statement irresponsible or political posturing.
- On the campaign trail, Owaisi also renewed his criticism of UAPA amendments and linked the law to the Supreme Court’s recent refusal of bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.