Owaisi says hijab-clad woman can become India’s PM BJP reacts

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday highlighted the inclusive nature of the Indian Constitution, saying it allows citizens of all faiths to aspire for the highest political offices. Speaking at an election meeting in Solapur, he expressed his dream that one day a hijab-clad woman could become the Prime Minister of India .

Owaisi contrasted India’s constitutional framework with Pakistan, where he said only citizens of a specific religion can hold the Prime Minister’s post. “The Constitution of Pakistan clearly states that a person belonging to only one religion can become Prime Minister. Babasaheb’s Constitution says that any citizen of India can become Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or mayor. It is my dream that a day will come when a hijab-clad daughter becomes the Prime Minister of this country,” he said.

He also criticised those spreading hatred against Muslims, saying such sentiments “will come to an end” and that when love and understanding prevail, people will realise “how their minds were poisoned.”

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla sharply reacted to Owaisi’s remarks, challenging him to first appoint a Pasmanda Muslim or a hijab-clad woman as president of AIMIM . “Hijabwali will become PM, " says Miyaan Owaisi. The Constitution stops nobody, but I challenge you to first make a Pasmanda or hijab-clad woman the president of AIMIM,” Poonawalla said in a post on X.

Earlier, Owaisi criticised former Home Minister P Chidambaram for strengthening provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) , which he said has led to prolonged incarceration of undertrial prisoners, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. Referring to the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant bail, he said, “Using the very basis of ‘by any other means’, which the Congress legislated and which I had warned would be misused, two young men who have been in jail for five-and-a-half years did not get bail. The people who made the law were from the Congress, and the Home Minister was Chidambaram. Has any Congress leader been in jail for one year, two years, or five-and-a-half years since Independence?”

Owaisi’s remarks are likely to influence both political discourse and voter behaviour ahead of Maharashtra’s upcoming civic elections. By emphasising constitutional equality and minority representation, he may encourage greater political participation among underrepresented communities , particularly women and Muslims. At the same time, such statements could fuel political polarisation , with opponents framing them as identity-based appeals. Analysts note that in the longer term, discussions on inclusive leadership could pressure parties to elevate minority and women leaders , while also shaping broader societal perceptions of leadership diversity.

The civic elections are being closely watched as parties intensify campaigns, with results expected to influence local political dynamics in the state.