UP polls: EC seeks response on plea challenging candidature of AIMIM candidates

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has sought Uttar Pradesh Election Commission’s response on a plea seeking cancellation of candidature of all AIMIM candidates over non-compliance with the rules of Representation of the People Act, 1951 during the ongoing state Assembly polls.
In a complaint, Delhi-based advocate and social activist Vineet Jindal alleged that the All-India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) candidates violated section 123 (3) & (3a) Representation of People Act, 1951.
As per the complainant, President of AIMIM Asaduddin Owaisi, who is a member of the Lok Sabha from Hyderabad, has given many “controversial” statements and speeches during his election campaign rallies and press conferences, which have been widely circulated on print media, electronic media, and social platforms to seek votes for his party candidates.
“Owaisi accused the BJP government of not allowing Muslim girls to wear a hijab and also shared a video clip on his Twitter account. On February 13, he stated: “One day, a hijabi will become the Prime Minister of India’,” the complaint read.
Jindal stated that a case regarding wearing hijab in educational institutes is pending in Karnataka High Court and an interim judgment has already been passed in the present matter which restrains all students regardless of their religion or faith from wearing saffron shawls, scarves, hijab, religious flags, or the like within the classrooms.
Asaduddin Owaisi on hijab controversy He alleged that Owaisi is meant to give a misinterpretation and misperception of the said controversy over hijab to incite the Muslim community and gain votes in favour of AIMIM candidates in the ongoing elections.