Be it Telangana’s legislative assembly or Karnataka’s, the presence of Muslims as Speakers has ignited a fierce debate.
With preparations underway to elect the new Speaker for Telangana’s third legislative assembly on December 14, Speakers of both state assemblies find themselves embroiled in controversies surrounding their religion.
In Karnataka, UT Khader, a five-time MLA from Mangaluru’s coastal region, made history as the state’s first Muslim Speaker. However, protests erupted as the opposition BJP and JD(S) staged a day-long agitation, demanding the suspension of Congress minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. The Opposition also claimed that Khader has been behaving like a ‘dictator’ and a ‘Congress Speaker’.
Across the border in Telangana, newly elected BJP MLAs refused to participate in the oath-taking ceremony, opposing the appointment of Akbaruddin Owaisi of the AIMIM as the pro-tem Speaker. Goshamahal’s BJP MLA Raja Singh refused to take the oath in front of Owaisi, insisting he would do so only when the Speaker is elected to the House.
This is the second time (2018 and 2023) that Singh has taken this stand. “I will take the oath only after a full-term Speaker is appointed,” he declared in a video explaining his absence in the state assembly.
Following protocol, the senior-most member of the state assembly assumes the role of the pro-tem Speaker. Congress’ Uttam Reddy argued that technically, he should have been in the position. However, since he took an oath as a minister, the procedure mandated the legislature secretariat to appoint the next senior-most, which was Akbaruddin Owaisi.
On Thursday, the election for the Telangana assembly speaker will take place. Reportedly, the Congress has finalised the name of Vikarabad MLA Gaddam Prasad Kumar, a Dalit leader who previously served as a minister in the Congress government in undivided Andhra Pradesh.
If the assembly secretariat receives just one nomination, Owaisi will announce Prasad’s unanimous election. However, if multiple nominations are submitted, an election will be conducted via ballot. Kumar’s election is anticipated to proceed smoothly, given that a majority of the MLAs are from the ruling Congress.
The Speaker controversy continues to rock the Karnataka assembly in Belgavi as the combined opposition — BJP and JD(S) — staged a dharna, demanding the resignation of Zameer Khan. Leader of the Opposition R Ashok accused Khan of bringing disgrace to the Speaker’s chair and attempting to create communal prejudice.
Khan, the minister for housing, waqf, and minority affairs, claimed during an election campaign in Telangana that the Congress has always been supportive of the minority class and appointed Karnataka’s first Muslim speaker (Khader). He added, “Today the best-of-the-best BJP leaders stand before Khader, saying ‘Sahab Namaskar’. Who made him? It’s Congress.” The comment soon sparked a furore.
Reacting to the statement, Ashok said: “Are we (BJP MLAs) ghulams (slaves)? To say salaam the way he (Khan) has said?” He added that the Speaker should have acted immediately against Khan and suspended him.
Khader, on his part, emphasised the constitutionally significant nature of his post, transcending politics and religion. He stressed that all elected members should respect the post. “I am not selected for the post on the basis of caste or religion. I have been appointed on eligibility and on the trust that I work as per the Constitution. I give respect and, in turn, get respect. I am working as the Speaker, representing all members. The Speaker’s post should not be seen through the lens of caste or religion.”
In reply to Khan’s remarks, senior BJP leader CT Ravi stated that when BJP leaders show respect, it is directed towards the constitutional position, “not the Mullah of Jamia Masjid”. He emphasised that the Speaker’s role is distinct from that of a ‘Maulwi’ in a mosque, and unlike addressing a Maulwi with terms like ‘Ji’ or ‘Huzoor,’ BJP MLAs do not use such titles when addressing the Speaker.