New Delhi: It has been 150 years since the National Song Vande Mataram was composed. Many programs were also held across the country for this. PM Modi also released a commemorative postage stamp and coin on this occasion. But a new controversy has started in Mumbai regarding Vande Mataram. SP MLA Abu Azmi has given a controversial statement regarding Vande Mataram. Azmi said that no one can make me recite Vande Mataram. No Muslim can be made to recite Vande Mataram. In Islam, the earth and the sun are not worshipped, no one is worshipped except Allah. He said that just as you cannot offer namaz, similarly no Muslim can recite Vande Mataram.
It should be noted that Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam had invited SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi to participate in the singing of the national song “Vande Mataram” near his residence on Friday morning. Satam shared a copy of the invitation from his account, tagging Azmi. This is where the controversy began.
Abu Azmi, responding to Satam in legal terms, said that the Supreme Court has ruled that forcing someone to sing the national anthem violates a person’s fundamental right to freedom of religion and conscience. Furthermore, he said that the Supreme Court has dismissed petitions seeking to grant “Vande Mataram” the same legal status and protection as the national anthem “Jana Gana Mana.”
Following Azmi’s response, the BJP launched an uproar. Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Mumbai BJP President Ajit Satam, and Assembly Speaker Rahil Narvekar recited Vande Mataram on a stage in front of Abu Asim Azmi’s home on Friday. Some controversial slogans are also reportedly raised from this stage.
