New Delhi [India], December 9 (HBTV): AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, during the special discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram in the Lok Sabha, said that the Constitution guarantees complete freedom of thought and religion, and argued that linking patriotism to any religion or symbol goes against constitutional principles. He said that citizens cannot be compelled to show reverence to any deity and added that no ‘loyalty certificates’ should be demanded from the public.
Vande Mataram is India’s national song, which translates to Mother, I Bow to Thee.
In a post on X referring to his speech, Owaisi 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?’ He said he respects Vande Mataram as a call for freedom but argued that forcing citizens to comply would violate the Constitution. He reiterated that ‘a certificate of loyalty should not be demanded’.
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to Parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly criticised the Congress, accusing it of ‘fragmentation’ of Vande Mataram and of indulging in appeasement politics.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said the National Anthem found a place in the national consciousness, while 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.’
He alleged that in 1937 the Congress ‘fragmented’ the song on the very land where it was composed, which he described as ‘not an injustice to a song, but to the people of independent India’. He emphasised that Vande Mataram will remain the ‘immortal song of national sentiment’ and criticised efforts to ‘confine it within limits’.
Rajnath Singh said the song played a key role in India’s freedom struggle, adding that despite a British circular issued against it, people continued to chant Vande Mataram. He praised Prime Minister Modi for initiating the special discussion, stating that the national song is connected to India’s past, present and future. Quoting Sri Aurobindo, he described Vande Mataram as a call that awakened a nation and noted its relevance even among Indians abroad during the early 20th century.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi criticised Rahul Gandhi for his absence during the discussion and accused the Congress of compromising on the national song and ‘surrendering before the Muslim League’. He claimed, ‘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 allocated for the discussion in both Houses of Parliament, which will continue on Tuesday, December 9.
The sixth session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 269th session of the Rajya Sabha began on December 1, marking the start of the Winter Session of Parliament, which will continue until December 19.
(ANI)