Asaduddin Owaisi, an AIMIM MP, addressed the issue of whether the hijab demonstrates the “backwardness” of Muslims and questioned whether Muslim women are not making contributions to the nation’s development.
Owaisi stated in his speech following the divided decision on the hijab ban that if Muslim women want to cover their heads, it does not mean, they are covering their intellect. “They say Muslims are forcing little children to wear hijab. Are we really forcing our girls?” Owaisi said.
If you come to Hyderabad, you will see that the most notorious drivers are our sisters. Don’t even put your vehicle behind them. No, this is from my personal experience. I tell my driver to be careful. Sit behind them on the motorcycle wearing a helmet and then you will understand whether they are being forced,” Owaisi said.
“They say we are scaring our girls. Who gets scared in today’s age?” The Hyderabad MP said
Referring to the Karnataka hijab ban row, Owaisi said, “When a Hindu, a Sikh and a Christian student is allowed to enter the classroom with their religious clothing and a Muslim is stopped, what do they think of the Muslim student? Obviously, they will think Muslims are below us.”
“Many people got a headache, and stomach ache when I said this country will one day get a prime minister who wears a hijab. Why should I not say this? This is my dream. What is wrong with it? But you are saying one should not wear hijab. Then what to wear? A bikini? You have the right to wear that also. Why do you want that my daughters take off their hijab and I shave my beard?” Owaisi said.
The BJP’s CT Ravi said Owaisi favours extremism, which won’t be tolerated in India. “I would like to ask Owaisi, do you support that the Taliban promote terrorism in the name of the Quran? Do you support Osama Bin Laden, who used Allah’s name in spreading terrorism? Many people spread terrorism in Allah’s name, but it will not be allowed in India,” Ravi said.
Owaisi welcomed Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia’s ruling that there shall be no restriction on the wearing of hijab anywhere in the schools and colleges of the state.