Jalna, January 3 (PTI) – All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Imtiaz Jaleel has issued a strong warning against the harassment of Muslim women, stating he would "cut off the hand of any individual who dares to touch Muslim women with ill intent". The statement comes amid controversy surrounding a comment made by a Uttar Pradesh minister in response to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling down a hijab from a woman's face.
Addressing a rally in Jalna, Maharashtra, on Friday, Jaleel, a former Aurangabad MP, targeted Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjay Nishad, who made an objectionable remark about the hijab row involving Nitish Kumar. Nishad's initial comment, "What would have happened if he touched her somewhere else?" sparked considerable backlash, despite his subsequent clarification that it was misinterpreted.
Jaleel also took aim at so-called secular parties, alleging their support for "goons and criminal elements," while hesitating to support Muslims. Campaigning for 17 AIMIM candidates in the upcoming January 15 municipal corporation elections, Jaleel accused other parties of branding AIMIM as communal while failing to support Muslims. He argued that these parties "often brand AIMIM as a communal and untouchable party, whereas in reality, they themselves are the most communal and do not want Muslims to emerge as leaders".
The hijab controversy has been a recurring issue in Indian politics. In 2022, the Supreme Court delivered a split verdict on petitions challenging the Karnataka hijab ban in educational institutions. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Muslim women to wear hijabs, questioning whether it signifies backwardness and arguing that Muslim women contribute to the country's development. Owaisi has also stated that "one day, a girl wearing a hijab will be the Prime Minister of India". He has also compared Hijab with a bikini, saying that others can wear bikinis but that does not mean Muslim women will take off their hijab.
The AIMIM party, however, has faced criticism for its own lack of female representation in leadership positions.
