I have heard ad nauseam that Asaduddin Owaisi is a Barrister by profession as he studied at the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn of London. However, I must confess that I have neither seen him arguing any case nor read any reported judgments argued by Shri Owaisi, yet he is praised for his very sharp forensic knowledge. I have sometimes heard his envenomed speeches in Parliament and other public meetings, but they have never been able to appeal to the reason or logic of any person of average prudence. Therefore, those who often eulogise him for his in-depth learning are not objective observers but the blind followers of his noxious politics.
Although the number of lawyers in politics is certainly higher than other professionals yet most of them have neither shone in politics nor in the legal profession. Politics is an altogether different ballgame, and the brilliance of lawyering or advocacy does not play a very significant role. Many lawyers have certainly made a mark in the legal profession regardless of their political hues or colours, but one is not dependent on the other. Nobody expects consistency in politics but, at least, in the legal profession consistency cannot be shed or shunned for political expediency. A good politician is expected to be a beacon of light for those who follow their leader, but Owaisi shows more of his tantrums than exuding logic of light.
His recent statements avowing loyalty to the constitution with regard to the Places of Worship Act, introduced by Parliament in 1991 depict his duplicity and insincerity. It is like the famous Shakespearian quote in Merchant of Venice that ‘the devil can cite Scriptures for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek’. Look at his specious loyalty. He had shown his contempt for the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A from the constitution or CAA or NRC but in the case of Gyanvapi, he has become an unflinching votary of the amendments to the constitution.
Article 368 of the Indian constitution provides flexibility that allows for the required changes, which can be brought about as per the wishes and aspirations of the people. In fact, even the basic structure theory as enunciated in the Keshvanand Bharti also cannot remain as rigid as to be written in stone like the Ten Biblical Commandments. The Constitution has to be an organic one, it can be changed/amended or altered as and when the need arises. Shri Owaisi is a lawmaker by virtue of being a Member of Parliament, but he should not try to browbeat the public by showing his phoney allegiance to the constitution of India and claiming to have a better understanding than others because he happened to be a Barrister, at least by holding the degree if not by practice.
The Government must, therefore, try to convince the Muslim leadership to transfer at least Kashi, Mathura and some other places of worship to Hindus which scream by their structure to be theirs.