AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday praised Palestine, a conflict-ridden West Asian country, after taking his oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha, causing an uproar from the treasury benches. This led the Chair to order that his remarks be expunged.
However, Owaisi defended his slogans after exiting the House, stating to reporters that there was nothing inappropriate about saying, "Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine."
Sumiran Komarraju, in charge of Telangana BJP's social media, blasted Owaisi and said he should be permanently barred from contesting elections.
"It is shameful that @asadowaisi chants 'Jai Palestine' after taking the oath as an MP from Hyderabad. He enjoys the freedom and democratic rights provided by India but advocates for other nations. This individual should be permanently barred from contesting elections," he said in a tweet.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju mentioned that he received complaints from some members about the mention of Palestine. When asked about his remarks, Owaisi responded, "Other members are also saying different things... How is it wrong? Tell me the provision of the Constitution? You should also listen to what others said. I said what I had to. Read what Mahatma Gandhi had said about Palestine".
Asked why he mentioned Palestine, he said, "They are oppressed people."
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader, who has been elected from the Hyderabad seat for his fifth term, took his oath in Urdu and recited a prayer beforehand. After taking the oath, he praised Telangana, Bhimrao Ambedkar, and raised the AIMIM's slogan for Muslims, along with the West Asian country.
His remarks led to an uproar in the Lower House. Radha Mohan Singh, who was in the Chair at the time, assured members that anything beyond the oath would not be recorded. The uproar continued for a few minutes before the oath-taking resumed. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab soon returned to the Chair and reiterated that only the oath or affirmation would be recorded, advising members to adhere strictly to this rule.
"I have said earlier please avoid invoking anything other than oath or affirmation. That is only to be recorded... That should be adhered to," he said.
Outside Parliament, Rijiju told reporters that he would review the rules regarding such remarks. "We do not have any enmity with Palestine or any other country. The only issue is, while taking the oath, is it proper for any member to raise the slogan praising another country? We will have to check the rules. Some members have come to me and complained about raising of Palestine slogan at the end of oath," Rijiju said.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy criticized Owaisi, questioning if he could say "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" (hail mother India). He described Owaisi's remarks as "totally wrong and against the rules of Parliament," accusing him of anti-Constitutional actions. "Living in India, he cannot say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', but he can hail Palestine. Such people are doing anti-Constitutional work in the name of Constitution, that should be understood," Reddy said.
BJP leader Amit Malviya also objected to the prayer said by Owaisi. "Palestine apart, is invoking religious idioms kosher, while taking oath in secular India? Is Owaisi guilty of infusing religion and communalizing a solemn occasion?" Malviya questioned in a post on X.
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