After taking the oath of office as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha on Tuesday, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi praised a nation ravaged by conflict in West Asia. This caused a stir among the treasury benches, and the Chair eventually ordered that the statements be removed.
Sworn in as member of Lok Sabha for the fifth time. Inshallah I will continue to raise issues of India’s marginalised with sinceritypic.twitter.com/OloVk6D65B
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 25, 2024
Defense and Justification
After leaving the House, Owaisi, however, defended his catchphrases, telling reporters that chanting “Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine” was appropriate. Meanwhile, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated that he has heard concerns from several members on the reference to Palestine.
When reporters questioned Owaisi about his comments, he responded, “Other members are also saying various things… Why is it incorrect? Which section of the Constitution is that? It’s advisable that you pay attention to what other people have to say. I said what was necessary. Go over Mahatma Gandhi’s remarks regarding Palestine.
Criticism and Political Responses to Owaisi
When asked, “Why did you bring up Palestine?” he replied, “They are oppressed people.” The head of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, who was elected to a fifth term from the Hyderabad seat, took his oath in Urdu. Prior to taking an oath, he also said a prayer. After taking an oath, he praised Bhimrao Ambedkar and his state of Telangana in addition to bringing up the AIMIM’s Muslim slogan and the nation of West Asia.
“With Palestine or any other nation, we harbor no ill will. The sole concern is whether it is appropriate for any member to raise a flag honoring a foreign nation during the oath-taking ceremony. We must review the regulations. At the conclusion of the swearing, some members have protested to me over the raising of the Palestine slogan,” Rijiju stated.
Meanwhile, Owaisi was ridiculed by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who questioned whether Owaisi was capable of saying “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (hail mother India). Owaisi’s comments, according to him, are “totally wrong and against the rules of Parliament”. “He can hail from Palestine, but he cannot say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ while residing in India. Amit Malviya, the leader of the BJP, took issue with Owaisi’s petition, saying, “It should be understood that these people are working against the Constitution.”
Constitutional and Legal Issues
Apart from Palestine, is it appropriate to use religious idioms when taking an oath in secular India? Is Owaisi responsible for communalizing a somber occasion and introducing religion into it?” Malviya stated on X in a post. Owaisi can be disqualified for this, according to Malviya.
“As per extant rules, Asaduddin Owaisi can be disqualified from his Lok Sabha membership, for demonstrating adherence to a foreign State, that is Palestine.” He shared the rule’s excerpt, which listed “Any acknowledgement of allegiance or adherence to a foreign state” as a requirement for membership disqualification.
Senior Lawyer .@Vishnu_Jain1 rocks AGAIN!
Has filed complaint against Owaisi before President Murmu, under Article 102 & 103 of Constitution of Bharat, seeking his disqualification as Member of Parliament.
An MP is not allowed to show allegiance to any foreign country.… pic.twitter.com/aYcFe7XQDF
— BhikuMhatre (@MumbaichaDon) June 26, 2024
READ: BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB APPOINTED PRO-TEM SPEAKER AMID CRITICISM