A hijab-clad woman could one day become India’s prime minister, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Friday, highlighting that the country’s Constitution grants equal rights to people from all communities. He contrasted India with Pakistan, where the Constitution restricts top constitutional positions to members of a single religion.
Speaking at a public meeting in Solapur, Maharashtra, ahead of the January 15 civic polls, Owaisi said, “India’s Constitution accords equal status to people of all communities, unlike Pakistan’s Constitution. I may not be alive to see it, but the day will come when a woman wearing a hijab will become India’s prime minister.”
The remark drew a sharp response from the ruling BJP. MP Anil Bonde criticized Owaisi, calling his statement “irresponsible” and accusing him of presenting half-truths. Bonde added that many Muslim women did not want to wear the hijab, pointing to protests in Iran against compulsory head coverings. He also raised concerns about demographic changes in India and called for Hindu unity.
