On Tuesday, June 25th, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi took the oath as a Member of Parliament for the fifth time from Hyderabad. During his swearing-in, Owaisi raised the ‘Jai Palestine’ [hail Palestine] slogan inside the Lok Sabha, triggering a political storm and legal scrutiny. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader’s act of expressing solidarity with Palestine comes at a time of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Incident
After taking the oath, Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Jai Bhim, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine.” This statement immediately drew reactions from various quarters, with BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje filing a complaint against Owaisi. In her written complaint to the Speaker and the Home Minister, Karandlaje requested the removal of Owaisi’s remarks from the parliamentary record and demanded that he retake his oath without the controversial slogan.
Owaisi’s Defense
Owaisi defended his actions, stating that there is no clause in the Constitution that prohibits him from chanting “Jai Palestine.” He further emphasized that other members also express different sentiments during their oaths. “I said ‘Jai Bhim, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’. How is it wrong? Tell me the provision of the Constitution?” Owaisi questioned. He also urged people to read Mahatma Gandhi’s views on Palestine to understand his stance.
Legal and Constitutional Implications
The controversy around Owaisi’s remarks has led to a complaint filed by senior advocate Hari Shankar Jain, seeking Owaisi’s disqualification as an MP under Articles 102 and 103 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 102: Disqualification for Membership of Parliament
Article 102 outlines the conditions under which an MP can be disqualified. This includes holding an office of profit, being of unsound mind, being an undischarged insolvent, not being a citizen of India, and voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign state or showing allegiance to a foreign state.
Article 103: Decision on Questions as to Disqualifications
Article 103 states that any question regarding the disqualification of an MP shall be referred to the President, whose decision is final. The President must consult the Election Commission before making a decision.
Political Reactions and Historical Context
This incident has evoked strong reactions from various political groups. It is pertinent to note that Owaisi has previously refused to raise slogans like “Vande Mataram” and “Jai Shri Ram,” claiming that Muslims were being coerced into raising these slogans. His brother, Akbaruddin Owaisi, had also opposed a Telangana government circular mandating the singing of “Vande Mataram” in schools.
Asaduddin Owaisi’s act of raising the “Jai Palestine” slogan has sparked a significant controversy, highlighting the sensitive nature of international conflicts in Indian politics. Whether this will lead to his disqualification remains to be seen, as the matter now rests with the President and the Election Commission.
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