Assam CM Himanta on AIMIM chief Owaisi's remarks: 'India a Hindu nation, PM will always be Hindu'

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks in which the latter said India will have a hijab-clad prime minister one day.

• Assam CM: Constitution allows any PM, but India is a Hindu nation.
• Owaisi envisions a hijab-wearing woman as PM, citing India's secular Constitution
• BJP's Poonawalla dares Owaisi to make hijab-wearing woman AIMIM president

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A political sparring unfolded on Saturday after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to remarks made by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi about the possibility of a hijab-clad woman becoming India’s Prime Minister.

Addressing reporters, Sarma said the Constitution places no restriction on who can occupy the country’s top executive post. However, framed his argument in civilisational terms, he said, “Constitutionally, there is no bar. Anyone can become the Prime Minister. But India is a Hindu nation, Hindu civilisation, and we will always believe, and we are extremely confident that the Indian Prime Minister will always be a Hindu person.”

Owaisi’s original statement was made a day earlier during an election meeting in Solapur, Maharashtra. Highlighting the secular character of India’s founding document, he said, “Baba Sahib's constitution says that any citizen of India can become Prime Minister, CM, or mayor.”

He contrasted this with Pakistan’s constitutional framework, noting, “The constitution of Pakistan clearly states that a person belonging to only one religion can become the Prime Minister of the country.”

Projecting inclusivity, the AIMIM leader added, “It is my dream that a day will come when a hijab-clad daughter will become the Prime Minister of this country,” a line that triggered sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Among those responding was BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who took to X to challenge Owaisi over leadership within his own party. “Hijabwali will become PM says Miyaan Owaisi. Miyaan Owaisi -- constitution stops nobody, but I challenge you to make a Pasmanda or Hijabwali as your president of AIMIM first,” Poonawalla wrote.

The exchange comes at a time of heightened political activity, with campaigning underway ahead of Mumbai’s civic body elections. Voting for the polls is scheduled for January 15, and the results are expected the following day on January 16.