Introduction
Asaduddin Salahuddin Owaisi, Born on May 13, 1969, is an Indian politician and the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). Representing the Hyderabad seat in the Lok Sabha. The lower house of the Indian Parliament, he has been elected five times. The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC) has ranked Owaisi as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World every year.
Early life and background
Sultan Salahuddin Owaisi and Najmunnisa Begum welcomed Asaduddin Salahuddin Owaisi into the world on May 13, 1969, in Hyderabad. His grandpa revived the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen as AIMIM in 1957, hence he hails from a political background. Sultan Salahuddin, his father, was a member of both the Indian Parliament and the Legislative Assembly of Andhra Pradesh. Owaisi completed his education at Nizam College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts, St. Mary's Junior College, and The Hyderabad Public School. In addition, he participated in intercollegiate cricket and then pursued his legal studies at London's Lincoln's Inn. Burhanuddin, his youngest brother, is the editor of Etemaad, while his brother Akbaruddin is a member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly.
Personal life
On December 11, 1996, Asaduddin and Farheen Owaisi got married. Six children total—one son, Sultanuddin, and five daughters, Khudsia, Yasmeen, Ameena, Maheen, and Atika. Owaisi lives in Hyderabad's Shastripuram and his mother is Nazima Begum. Khudsia, his oldest daughter, got engaged in 2018. Abid Ali Khan married Yasmeen in 2020, and Fahad Beg married Ameena in 2022. He goes by the name Naqeeb-e-Millat (Leader of the Community), speaks Hindi, Urdu, and English well, and usually sports a cropped beard, an Islamic cap, and a long sherwani.
Political career
After his father and grandfather, Asaduddin Salahuddin Owaisi is the third president of AIMIM. In 1994, he entered politics and won the Charminar constituency. He took over his father's seat as the Hyderabad MP in 2004. Renowned for his audacious orations, he was the 2014 Sansad Ratna award winner. Owaisi has previously run for office in other states, emphasizing problems facing minorities.
Awards and recognition
2014 Sansad Ratna Award
Asaduddin Owaisi became a prominent figure among Muslim MPs when he was awarded the Sansad Ratna Award in 2014 for his significant questions and active engagement in parliamentary debates.
The 2022 Lokmat Parliamentary Award
In March 2023, former President Ram Nath Kovind awarded Owaisi with the Lokmat Parliamentary Awards, where she was named the “Best Parliamentarian of 2022 – Lok Sabha.” He has already won this honor four times, in 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2021, demonstrating his extraordinary contributions and commitment as a lawmaker.
Political views
Even though Asaduddin Owaisi rejects Jinnah's two-nation idea, some often link him to Jinnah. Owaisi is in favor of reservations for Muslims from underdeveloped nations and a nonsectarian Muslim identity within India. He demands that the Haj subsidy be directed for Muslim women's education and against Hindutva philosophy. Owaisi opposes speedy triple talaq, criticizes the BJP's position on cow slaughter, and denounces the 2008 Mumbai attackers. He talks about concerns about radicalization and the participation of Ahmadiyya Muslims in the census, while praising India's inclusive politics. He acknowledged the BJP's power over Hindu voters following the 2019 elections.
Controversies
Asaduddin Owaisi's politics, which prioritize minorities, have often brought him trouble. Opponents of the BJP have associated him with terrorism in Hyderabad, claiming he has given legal support to members of ISIS. In addition, Owaisi has come under fire for opposing the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and for complaining about a book written by Waseem Rizvi that he claimed denigrated Islam. Notwithstanding these controversies, Owaisi remains a well-known political figure.
Legal issues and assault case