NEW DELHI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday reacted sharply to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remark that “only a Hindu will become the PM of India,” saying, “He’s a tubelight in his mind.”In a tweet posted by news agency PTI, Owaisi said, “He has taken an oath on the Constitution, but does he even know what’s written in it? Himanta Biswa Sarma has a Pakistan-like mindset. In Pakistan’s Constitution, only someone from one community can become the country’s Prime Minister or President. “But in our country, Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us a Constitution, and he was far wiser and more learned than Hemanta Biswa Sarma.”“Sadly, some people neither understand the Constitution nor its spirit. This country doesn’t belong to any one religion or community – that’s its beauty. Even those who don’t believe in God have a place here. His thinking is narrow, and he speaks petty things,” Owaisi added further. Owaisi’s statement came amid his own comments earlier in the week that one day a hijab-clad daughter could become Prime Minister of India. Speaking at an election meeting in Solapur, Maharashtra, he said, “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 added, “Those who spread hate against Muslims will come to an end” and when love becomes common, people will realise “how their people’s mind was poisoned.” Political leaders across BJP criticised Owaisi’s remarks. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “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.” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla challenged Owaisi, “Hijabwali will become PM, says Miyaan Owaisi. Miyaan Owaisi – constitution stops nobody, but I challenge you to make a Pasmanda or Hijabwali as your president of AIMIM first.” BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya accused Owaisi of focusing on appeasement politics, “This kind of nonsense will continue to run through the minds of those who practice appeasement politics and politics based on a particular community. Why don’t you talk about India?… You only seem to have Pakistan on your mind. Those who wanted to choose their country based on religion, who wanted to run their country based on Sharia law, made their decision and went with Jinnah. But even today, the ghost of Jinnah still haunts some people here, and it keeps resurfacing.” Congress leader Imran Masood said Owaisi’s remarks were unrealistic, “He is talking about things that are impossible; it’s like seeing stars during the day. Why is he talking about something that’s simply not possible? Everyone has rights within a democracy. Wearing or not wearing a hijab is a personal matter.” Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC added, “Asaduddin Owaisi, there is no vacancy for the Prime Minister’s slot. Narendra Modi’s popularity is known to one and all. First, let your members of parliament be elected, then dream about a Prime Minister. Yes, at some stage, we too would want a woman Prime Minister, but not based on her caste, creed, or community, but on her good work and the popular mandate of the people of India.”
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