Asaduddin Owaisi Sparks Row, Says ‘Jai Palestine’ While Taking Oath As Lok Sabha MP

Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), on Tuesday triggered a controversy while taking oath as a Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad. He took the oath in Urdu and he expressed solidarity with the conflict-affected region of Palestine, praised his state, Telangana, and raised the AIMIM’s slogan for Muslims (“Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine”).

Radha Mohan Singh, who was in the Chair at the time, assured the members that anything apart from the oath will not go on record.

The disturbance continued for few minutes, after which the oath-taking resumed. Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab returned to the Chair soon, and said that only oath or affirmation is being recorded.

“I have said earlier please avoid invoking anything other than oath or affirmation. That is only to be recorded… That should be adhered to,” Mahtab said.

Mr Owaisi, however, defended his remarks while talking to reporters outside Parliament: “Other members are also saying different things. I said ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Meem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’. How is it wrong? Tell me the provision of Constitution. You should also listen to what others said. I said what I had to. Read what Mahatma Gandhi had said about Palestine.”