Highlights
- "BJP wants to eradicate secularism and equal opportunity for all in the country," Owaisi alleged
- Constitution bars nobody, BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla said in response
- His statement came while addressing a press conference in Karnataka's Bijapur on Tuesday
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday took a jibe at AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi after the latter said he wished to see a hijab-clad girl as the prime minister of India.
"BJP wants to eradicate secularism and equal opportunity for all in the country," Owaisi said while addressing a press conference in Karnataka's Bijapur on Tuesday.
Owaisi further said he wants to see a girl in Hijab as the prime minister of the country.
The Hyderabad MP's remarks came after reporters asked him about Rishi Sunak becoming the first Indian-origin prime minister of the United Kingdom.
In retaliation, BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Owaisi ji hopes that a Hijab wearing girl becomes PM of India! Well Constitution bars nobody but do tell us when will a Hijab wearing girl get to become President of AIMIM? Let us start with that?"
During his press conference, Owaisi said that one of the two judges in the Supreme Court bench gave his judgment in favour of the hijab.
Later, he asserted "the judge said it is necessary for Muslim girls to study and, if they want to wear hijab and go for studies then it is not a problem. It is a very positive judgment."
Following a split decision by a two-judge SC bench, the hijab matter is with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) for the constitution of an appropriate bench.
"BJP thinks they have danger from halal meat, Muslims' caps, and their beards. They have problems with their food habits. The party is actually against Muslim identity," the AIMIM chief said.
"PM's words 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas' are empty rhetoric. BJP's real agenda is to end India's diversity and Muslim identity," Owaisi added.
(With inputs from ANI)
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