New Delhi, August 26: Leaders from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have sharply criticized AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s remarks regarding the hijab controversy. They condemned his statements, accusing him of engaging in vote bank politics and politicizing issues of education and progress.
Owaisi had strongly criticized the Allahabad High Court’s decision, which dismissed a petition from a minor student seeking permission to wear a hijab along with the prescribed school uniform.
In response, Union Minister Giriraj Singh stated, “What does Asaduddin Owaisi think of himself? It is unclear. Are they people who respect the Constitution of India or those who act against it? If the court rules in their favor, it’s fine; if not, they oppose the court. To live in India, one must respect the Constitution.”
BJP leader Nalin Kohli added, “Whether it’s Congress or Owaisi, if they claim that wearing a hijab is essential, they must answer whether Muslim sisters who choose not to wear a hijab are not Muslims. Many Muslim women in this country and around the world do not wear hijabs.”
Vinod Bansal, national spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), remarked, “When it comes to equality, unity, integrity, or women’s rights, there is a clear difference between what they say and what they do. Whether it’s the Muslim League referencing the Constitution or the Congress supporting jihadists, the daughters of this nation have reached space and are flying fighter jets, yet you want to confine them to hijabs and burqas.”
Dayashankar Singh, a minister in the Uttar Pradesh government, stated, “We cannot comment on matters before the court. The judiciary is supreme, and we all must follow its orders.”
BJP MP Ghulam Ali Khatana criticized Owaisi, saying, “Owaisi engages in vote bank politics. Islam teaches that one must respect and adhere to the laws of the country in which they reside.”
Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC emphasized that while no one opposes the idea of wearing a hijab, Muslim women should not be compelled to do so. She stated, “Personally, we are not against wearing the hijab, but it is not mandated in Islam that women must wear it. Clearly, Asaduddin Owaisi has his own agenda for vote bank politics. He can debate until the Day of Judgment, but understand that uniforms bring discipline and equality, which is a symbol of secularism. When children wear uniforms, it signifies the identity of the institution.”
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also criticized Owaisi’s comments, stating, “Some individuals want to halt the education and progress of Muslim girls like the Taliban. Under the pretext of this, they sometimes attempt to create communal confusion regarding the hijab, or they try to color their education and progress with communal overtones.”
Naqvi added, “Our country operates under the Constitution. The hijab is not banned in our country, although several nations have imposed bans. However, institutions have their dress codes, which everyone must respect.”
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