📷 Image Credits: NDTV
Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of AIMIM, found himself at the center of a political storm after his remarks during his oath-taking ceremony as a Lok Sabha member. Owaisi, who hails from Telangana, expressed solidarity with Palestine, which led to a heated exchange within the Parliament. The BJP leader presiding over the session, Radha Mohan Singh, decided to strike off Owaisi’s comments from the official record, stating that only the formal oath would be recognized.
Defending his position, Owaisi told reporters outside Parliament that his inclusion of ‘Jai Palestine’ in his oath was justified. He argued that other members were making diverse statements and questioned the constitutionality of his gesture. Additionally, he cited Mahatma Gandhi’s support for Palestine and emphasized that they are an oppressed nation.
However, this move by Owaisi has not been without backlash. BJP sources have suggested that his allegiance to Palestine could lead to disqualification. Moreover, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje has raised objections to his speech and has called for suitable action to be taken. The pro tem Speaker has been urged to request Owaisi to retake his oath.
The controversy surrounding Owaisi’s oath comes amidst the larger political discourse in the Lok Sabha. The BJP’s attempts to reach a consensus on the Speaker’s appointment faced resistance as the INDIA bloc put forth K Suresh’s nomination. In an attempt to uphold tradition, where the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are elected through mutual agreement between the ruling party and the opposition, the situation remains unresolved.
As tensions rise within the Parliament, the incident involving Asaduddin Owaisi underscores the sensitive nature of political discourse and highlights the need for clarity and unity in decision-making processes within the Indian political landscape.
