AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi stated in Lok Sabha that compelling citizens to revere Vande Mataram violates the Constitution. He argued patriotism cannot be linked to religion, and no 'loyalty certificates' should be demanded from citizens.
Linking Patriotism to Religion Against Constitutional Norms: Owaisi
AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, participating in the discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, pointed out that the Constitution guarantees complete freedom of thought and religion, and linking patriotism to any religion or symbol is against the constitutional norms.
The AIMIM chief said that citizens cannot be forced to show reverence to any deity and added that no "loyalty certificates" should be demanded from citizens. Vande Mataram is India's national song, which translates to "Mother, I Bow to Thee."
In a post on X, Owaisi, referring to his speech during the special discussion in the Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, wrote, "When the very first page of the Constitution itself grants complete freedom of thought, expression, belief, religion, and worship, then how can any citizen be compelled to worship any god or deity, or to prostrate in reverence?"
During his speech, he stated that he hopes the government does not force it, adding that he understands that Vande Mataram was a call for freedom, but that, if forced, it would violate the Constitution. He also said, "A certificate of loyalty should not be demanded."
Rajnath Singh Accuses Congress of 'Appeasement Politics'
Meanwhile, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to Parliament on Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a strong attack on the Congress, alleging "fragmentation" of Vande Mataram and "appeasement politics".
Addressing the Lok Sabha during the discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, Rajnath Singh said that the National Anthem found a place in the national consciousness, but the National Song was "marginalised."
He said, "Today, it has to be accepted that the justice that should have been done to Vande Mataram did not happen. National Anthem and National Song were to be given an equal place, but one found a place in the national consciousness, while the other was marginalised. It was treated like an extra. In 1937, Congress decided to fragment on the same land where Vande Mataram was composed. This was not an injustice to a song, but to the people of independent India."
'Immortal Song of National Sentiment'
Further, the Defence Minister emphasised that Vande Mataram will remain the "immortal song of national sentiment."
"Trying to confine it within limits was a huge deception. Restoring the glory of Vande Mataram is the need of the hour and also a demand of morality. Vande Mataram is complete in itself, but there were attempts to make it incomplete. Vande Mataram has been an immortal song of national sentiment, and I emphasise that it will always remain so. No power in the world can reduce it. The injustice to Vande Mataram was not an isolated incident, but a beginning to the appeasement politics by Congress," Union Minister Singh said.
Acknowledging the contribution of the national song in India's freedom struggle, he said that the British government issued a circular against it, but people did not stop saying 'Vande Mataram'.Rajnath Singh lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating a discussion on the national song.
He said, "PM Modi cited facts and gave an inspiring start to the discussion. Vande Mataram is connected to India's past, present and future. It gave the strength to our freedom fighters to fight against the British rule. This was the song that awakened our nation, which had been sleeping for ages. The song, which crossed the English Channel and reached the British Parliament. Bamkim Babu said that one day, the countrymen will understand the significance of the song. That moment came during the agitation against the partition of Bengal. Sri Aurobindo rightly said, 'The matra had been given, and in a single day, whole people have been converted to the religion of patriotism. The British government was so afraid of Vande Mataram that they issued a circular against it, but they could not stop the people from saying 'Vande Mataram'."
"Vande Mataram was not mere words but emotions, a poem, a pulse and a philosophy. Not just in India, but it worked as a mantra for Indians living outside as well. In 1912, when Gopal Krishna Gokhale arrived in South Africa, he was welcomed with slogans of Vande Mataram. Shahid Bhagat Singh and Shahid Chandrashekhar Azad's letters began with Vande Mataram, while it was also the last words of Madanlal Dhingra. It is not just a song but the essence of nationalism," Singh added.
PM Modi Criticises Congress for 'Insulting' Vande Mataram
Earlier today, PM Modi criticised Rahul Gandhi for his absence during discussions in Parliament, asserting that the Congress compromised on the national song and "surrendered before the Muslim League".
Addressing the Lok Sabha on the sixth day of the Winter Session, PM Modi said, "Serious discussion is going on in Parliament, but LoP Rahul Gandhi is not present in the House. First Nehru, now Rahul Gandhi, has shown disregard for Vande Mataram."
The Prime Minister accused the Congress of insulting the national song and surrendering before the Muslim League, stating, "Congress still insults Vande Mataram. Congress compromised on Vande Mataram and surrendered before the Muslim League. Nehru did a 'tukde-tukde' of Vande Mataram."
A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, which will take place on Tuesday, December 9. The 6th Session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 269th Session of the Rajya Sabha commenced on Monday, December 1, marking the beginning of the Winter Session of Parliament. The session will conclude on December 19. (ANI)
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