New Delhi

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla responded to All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi's statement that one day a hijab-clad daughter will become India's Prime Minister, saying that Owaisi should first make a woman wearing a hijab or burqa the national president of his party.

 

The BJP National Spokesperson further stated that a party with "Muslimeen" in its party name has no right to preach secularism to others.

 

"The Constitution doesn't stop anyone. Everyone can dream of becoming Prime Minister, but since Owaisi is now inspired by Mamani and who knows who else, I want Owaisi to start this good work in his own party. He should make a woman who wears a hijab or burqa the national president of his party. If he can't do that, then he should appoint a Pasmanda Muslim...A person who keeps attaching the name "Muslimeen" to their party name has no right to preach about secularism....In India, the Constitution gives everyone the freedom to become what they want to be..." Poonawalla told ANI.

 

Earlier, in an election meeting in Solapur, Maharashtra, AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi said that one day a hijab-clad daughter will become the Prime Minister of India. He further argued that such inclusivity is not offered in Pakistan's constitution, which restricts people of other religions from holding top posts.

 

"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, CM, or mayor. It is my dream that a day will come when a hijab-clad daughter will become the Prime Minister of this country," he said.

 

However, BJP leaders slammed the AIMIM President's controversial statement, calling it divisive or unrealistic.

 

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to the statement, saying that even though it is constitutionally possible, India, being a Hindu nation, will see a Hindu person becoming the Prime Minister of the country.

 

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"Constitutionally, there is no bar. Anyone can become the Prime Minister. But India is a Hindu nation, Hindu civilisation, and we will always believe, and we are extremely confident that the Indian Prime Minister will always be a Hindu person," he said, while speaking to the media.