The issue of singing of Vande Mataram continued to rock the Maharashtra legislature on Friday with BJP lashing out MLAs – Abu Asim Azmi of Samajwadi Party and Waris Pathan of Owaisi brothers-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
Inside the Vidhan Bhavan complex, BJP MLA Raj Purohit and Pathan had heated arguments. “Is desh me rehna hoga to Vande Mataram kahnahoga (if you want to stay in this country you would have to say Vande Mataram)…else go to Pakistan,” said Purohit, an MLA from Colaba, who is a former minister.
“I would say ‘Hindustan zindabad’…I would say ‘Jai Hind’….but I would never say Vande Mataram,” Pathan said responding to him during the verbal dual in presence of TV cameras. “I will continue to protest and I woiuld not leave the country,” he said.
BJP MLA from Dhule, Anil Gote raised the issue in the Assembly saying that statements have been made in the Vidhan Bhavan complex and an explanation needs to be sought from the members who have opposed singing of Vande Mataram.
Azmi then reiterated his stand on the issue. "Islam doesn't allow me worshiping anybody other than the almighty Allah. Vande Mataram talks of worshiping the motherland and hence no pious Muslim can sing the patriotic song," he said, adding that it was unfortunate that someone’s love for motherland is being gauged by singing of a song.
He then went on the site how Hindus and Muslims had fought together for Independence.
Veteran BJP leader and former revenue minister Eknath Khadse, however, was on his feet and sought to answer Azmi. “If for freedom struggle we said Jai Hind together, if we sang Vande Mataram together,where is the objection,” he said, adding that it was lying saying – “Ma tujhesalaam.”
Published 28 July 2017, 11:47 IST