'Our Constitution allows it, Pakistan's restricts it': Asaduddin Owaisi says India will one day have Hijab-clad PM; gets 'no chance' reply from Nitish Rane

NEW DELHI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, speaking at an election meeting in Solapur, Maharashtra, on Friday said that while Pakistan’s Constitution restricts the posts of Prime Minister and President to followers of a particular religion, India’s Constitution allows any citizen to hold such positions.Owaisi highlighted the inclusivity of India’s Constitution, framed by Babasaheb Ambedkar, saying it allows anyone to become Prime Minister, President, chief minister, or mayor. He said, "His dream was that a day would come when a Hijab-clad woman would rise to become the Prime Minister of India. The day will come in future."Responding to Owaisi’s remarks, Maharashtra minister Nitish Rane said, Asaduddin Owaisi does not dare to make such statements in our Hindu nation. This is our Hindu nation, where 90% of the population is Hindu. Women who wear hijab or burqa will not become the Prime Minister or the Mayor of Mumbai.""Those who wish to hold such positions should go to their own Islamic countries, like Karachi. Here, they have no place. Women who wear hijab or burqa will not become Prime Minister or Mayor in Mumbai," he added further.Also read: ‘Dhamki de raha hai mujhe, bolo aajao?’: Waris Pathan responds to Nitesh RaneOn Nitish Rane’s statement, AIMIM leader Waris Pathan said, "The Constitution of India governs this country, and according to it, anyone can become the Prime Minister, Governor, or Mayor. What did he (Asaduddin Owaisi) say wrong? He said that it is our wish that one day a woman wearing a hijab will become the Prime Minister of the country... The one who is threatening me should tell me where to come? We are not afraid of their threats."BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised and challenged Owaisi. In a post on 'X', he said, "Hijabwali will become PM says Miyaan Owaisi. Constitution stops nobody but I challenge you make a Pasmanda or Hijabwali as your president of AIMIM first."The controversy comes amid growing attention on Mumbai’s upcoming civic elections. After the mayoral election victory of Zohran Mamdani, 34 — the first South Asian, Muslim, Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, who is also the MLA from Andheri West, posted on social media, "We will not allow any Khan to become mayor." Calling it 'vote jihad', Satam said an attempt was being made to bring to Mumbai the same kind of politics as was seen in New York City.