Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), on Tuesday triggered a controversy while taking oath as a Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad. He took the oath in Urdu and concluded it with the slogan “Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine”.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi’s remarks after taking his oath as a Lok Sabha member sparked a massive political controversy today. Following his oath – that he took in Urdu – he expressed solidarity with the conflict-affected region of Palestine, praised his state, Telangana, and raised the AIMIM’s slogan for Muslims.
The epilogue by the five-time Hyderabad MP led to strong reactions from members of the treasury benches, prompting the chair to strike it off from the official record. Radha Mohan Singh, who was presiding over the oath-taking ceremony, assured that the controversial slogan would be expunged from the official records of Parliament.
The uproar over Owaisi’s controversial slogan continued for a few minutes. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, after returning to the Chair, said that only oath or affirmation is being recorded.
BJP MPs and Ministers slam Owaisi
The disturbance continued for few minutes, after which the oath-taking resumed. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab returned to the Chair soon, and said only oath or affirmation is being recorded. “I have said earlier please avoid invoking anything other than oath or affirmation. That is only to be recorded… That should be adhered to,” Mahtab said.
Criticising Asaduddin Owaisi for his slogan, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said it is “absolutely wrong”.
Reddy said, “This is against the rules of the House. He does not say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ while living in India… People should understand that he does unconstitutional work while living in the country.”
Union minister G Kishan Reddy, meanwhile, said Owaisi’s slogan was wrong and against the rules of the House. He said being an Indian citizen, the AIMIM leader does not say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. “The slogan ‘Jai Palestine’ given by AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi in Parliament today is absolutely wrong. This is against the rules of the House. He does not say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ while living in India… People should understand that he does unconstitutional work while living in the country,” he said.
Asked about Owaisi’s words during the oath-taking, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said: “We do not have any enmity with Palestine or any other country. While taking the oath, is it proper for any member to raise the slogan praising another country? We will have to check the rules if it is appropriate…”
Shameless Owaisi defended his ‘Palestine Slogan’
Mr Owaisi, however, defended his remarks while talking to reporters outside Parliament: “Other members are also saying different things. I said ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’. How is it wrong? Tell me the provision of Constitution. You should also listen to what others said. I said what I had to. Read what Mahatma Gandhi had said about Palestine.”
When he was asked the reason for mentioning Palestine, Mr Owaisi explained, “They are oppressed people”.
Owaisi could be disqualified
BJP sources have claimed Mr Owaisi can be disqualified for “demonstrating adherence to a foreign State, that is Palestine.”
Meanwhile, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has written to the Home Minister’s office objecting to his speech and seeking action in the matter. She also requested the pro tem Speaker to ask Mr Owaisi to take the oath once again.
In a similar incident in Rajya Sabha earlier this year, AAP’s Swati Maliwal was instructed by the Chairman to retake the oath as she raised a slogan while reading out the oath.
Mr Owaisi was among the remaining MPs who took their oath today, following a total of 262 newly elected MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who did so on Monday, the inaugural session of the 18th Lok Sabha. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also took oath today, holding up a copy of the Constitution in his hand.
