MUMBAI: Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Asim Azmi sparked a political controversy on Wednesday by making a statement in the state assembly that he would “never chant Vande Mataram.” He said his religion did not allow him to bow down in front of anyone, not even one’s mother.
The statement caused pandemonium in the lower House of the state legislature with MLAs, especially those from the ruling benches, demanding its removal from the official records and others asking for Azmi’s expulsion. The House was adjourned for 10 minutes by assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar amid slogan-shouting.
Azmi raised a calling attention motion over an incident in Aurangabad. He said that on March 29, “after heavy sloganeering near the Ram temple in Aurangabad, police came and dispersed youths who had gathered there. However, later again 20 youths arrived there shouting ‘Agar is desh main rehna hoga, Vande Mataram kehna hoga’”. He then said, “We only believe in Allah. Our religion does not permit us to bow down before anyone and hence we cannot chant Vande Mataram.”
Deputy CM Fadnavis later said that Azmi’s comments were “improper” as crores of people in India “looked up to Vande Mataram, the national song.” Addressing Azmi, he said, “Which religion can say that one should not bend before one’s mother? No faith says that. Your faith also doesn’t say that.” Fadnavis added, “Vande Mataram is not a religious song or one linked to prayer or ritual. Our Constitution has given it the status of national song. Azmi should not hurt the feelings of crores of people by misinterpreting things.
The statement caused pandemonium in the lower House of the state legislature with MLAs, especially those from the ruling benches, demanding its removal from the official records and others asking for Azmi’s expulsion. The House was adjourned for 10 minutes by assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar amid slogan-shouting.
Azmi raised a calling attention motion over an incident in Aurangabad. He said that on March 29, “after heavy sloganeering near the Ram temple in Aurangabad, police came and dispersed youths who had gathered there. However, later again 20 youths arrived there shouting ‘Agar is desh main rehna hoga, Vande Mataram kehna hoga’”. He then said, “We only believe in Allah. Our religion does not permit us to bow down before anyone and hence we cannot chant Vande Mataram.”
Deputy CM Fadnavis later said that Azmi’s comments were “improper” as crores of people in India “looked up to Vande Mataram, the national song.” Addressing Azmi, he said, “Which religion can say that one should not bend before one’s mother? No faith says that. Your faith also doesn’t say that.” Fadnavis added, “Vande Mataram is not a religious song or one linked to prayer or ritual. Our Constitution has given it the status of national song. Azmi should not hurt the feelings of crores of people by misinterpreting things.