New Delhi, July 11 (IANS). Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar supported the decision of singing ‘Vande Mataram’ before the national anthem, saying that there is nothing new in it as ‘Vande Mataram’ has been sung in various programs for a long time.
While talking to IANS, Sudhir Mungantiwar said that according to the Constitution, ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is the national anthem of India and it is paramount, whereas during the making of the Constitution, ‘Vande Mataram’ was given the status of national anthem.
He said that earlier in many events only a portion of ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung, but now it should be sung in its entirety. This topic has been opposed by certain religious groups, even though about 90 percent of the people in the country sing ‘Vande Mataram’.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) national spokesperson Naseem Siddiqui objected to this move of the government and said that the government wants to forcibly impose this decision on the people. Muslims cannot sing ‘Vande Mataram’, because according to their religious belief they worship only one God and cannot bow before anyone else. However, he clarified that the Muslim community respects ‘Vande Mataram’ but considers it appropriate to remain silent instead of singing it.
At the same time, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha, adopting a balanced stance on this issue, said that every citizen of India deeply respects both ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and ‘Vande Mataram’. Both are associated with the spirit of patriotism and every Indian sings them with respect, as they are deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the countrymen.
He raised the question that if new guidelines are issued then it should be made clear what is the basis for singing the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ later and ‘Vande Mataram’ first. Both the national anthem and the national anthem are the soul of India and every Indian has equal respect for both.
–IANS
ASH/DKP
