Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said he believes India’s Prime Minister will “always be a Hindu”, responding to remarks by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on the constitutional possibility of a hijab-clad Muslim woman occupying the country’s highest political office.
Sarma’s comment came after Owaisi, speaking at a public meeting and later at an election rally in Solapur, Maharashtra, said the Indian Constitution places no restriction on who can become Prime Minister and expressed his “dream” of seeing a hijab-clad woman lead the country.
Owaisi argued that India’s constitutional values allow any citizen, irrespective of religion or attire, to hold the top executive post. He also contrasted India’s framework with countries such as Pakistan, where constitutional provisions restrict eligibility for the highest office on religious grounds.
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Reacting to the AIMIM chief’s remarks, Sarma said that while the Constitution does not bar anyone from becoming Prime Minister, his personal belief is rooted in what he described as India’s civilisational identity. He said India is a Hindu civilisation and that, in his view, the country’s top political position would therefore always be held by a Hindu.
The Assam Chief Minister’s remarks have triggered sharp political reactions, reigniting debates on secularism, religious identity and political representation in India. Opposition leaders criticised Sarma’s statement, accusing him of undermining the spirit of constitutional equality and inclusiveness.
The exchange has added fresh intensity to the ongoing political discourse ahead of elections, with rival parties invoking constitutional principles and civilisational narratives to bolster their respective positions.
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