Controversy Erupts as Asaduddin Owaisi utters ‘Jai Palestine’ in Lok Sabha Oath-taking Ceremony

Controversy engulfed the Lok Sabha today as All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi sparked a heated debate while taking his oath as a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad. Owaisi, known for his straightforward stance, chose to deliver his oath in Urdu, concluding it with the slogan ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine‘.

The unexpected mention of the conflict-torn West Asian region, Palestine, during his oath immediately drew objections from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members present. Presiding over the ceremony, Radha Mohan Singh assured that the controversial slogan would be expunged from the official records of the Parliament.

The uproar over the controversial slogan continued for a few minutes, with Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab reiterating that only the oath or affirmation should be recorded. Addressing the commotion, Mahtab emphasized the adherence to this rule in parliamentary proceedings.

Defending his choice of words, Owaisi maintained that he had not violated any provision of the Constitution and questioned the critics to point out the specific violation he had committed. He insisted that phrases like ‘Jai Bheem, Jai Telangana, Jai Palestine’ were not inherently wrong and cited historical references, including Mahatma Gandhi‘s views on Palestine, to support his stance.

Expressing disapproval of Owaisi’s slogan, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy condemned the statement as ‘absolutely wrong’ and emphasized the need to prioritize patriotic slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. Reddy criticized Owaisi’s choice of words, labeling it as unconstitutional behavior while residing in the country.

Outside the Parliament, Owaisi defended his reference to ‘Palestine’ by highlighting the ongoing oppression faced by the people in that region. Despite the controversy, he affirmed his commitment to raising issues concerning India’s marginalized communities with sincerity.

Owaisi, securing victory for the fifth consecutive time from the Hyderabad constituency, defeated BJP candidate Madhavi Latha by a significant margin of over 3.38 lakh votes in the recent Lok Sabha elections. His engagement with contentious issues, both within and outside the Parliament, continues to draw attention and debate among political circles.