Asaduddin Owaisi, the leader of the AIMIM party, recently declared that his party’s candidate, Shifa-Ur-Rehman, should be permitted to compete in and win elections, even while he remains in jail. Owaisi made these remarks during a campaign event in Okhla, where he advocated for Rehman, who is currently imprisoned because of his alleged involvement in the 2020 Delhi riots. Owaisi argued that if Arvind Kejriwal can receive bail to participate in elections, then Rehman should be granted the same opportunity, emphasizing that everyone should have the right to be a part of the election process.
Owaisi questioned the fairness of the current situation. He stated to the audience that if Arvind Kejriwal can get bail, then Shifa-Ur-Rehman is also entitled to bail. He believes that despite being incarcerated, Rehman is a suitable and worthy candidate for the Okhla assembly seat. By using the example of Kejriwal, who was granted bail to campaign, Owaisi highlights the need for equal legal treatment for all individuals, despite their political affiliation or personal circumstances.
This situation raises important legal and moral questions regarding the rights of incarcerated individuals to run for public office. Owaisi’s campaign speech brings up a conversation about the rights of political candidates and challenges the current judicial rules surrounding elections. Furthermore, the situation brings to the forefront the existing tension between the justice system and politics as elections approach. He further argued that “Shifa-Ur-Rehman can contest and win elections from inside the jail.” This statement has sparked discussions about the direction and potential success of his campaign moving forward.