Bhopal, April 11 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday that all office-bearers of the state Congress unit should resign if they cannot take action after a woman councillor of the party in Indore refused to sing 'Vande Mataram' citing Islamic beliefs.
Yadav stated that it was "unfortunate" that the Congress councillor refused to sing the national song in the municipal corporation and "shamelessly" stated she would not recite it.
He said this reveals the character of the Congress party.
A row erupted on Wednesday after the councillor, Fauzia Sheikh Alim, refused to sing Vande Mataram, citing Islamic beliefs, during a discussion on the Indore Municipal Corporation's budget.
She later told reporters that her religion does not allow her to sing 'Vande Mataram' – a Sanskrit phrase meaning "I bow to thee, Mother". Alim had said she enjoys religious freedom under the Constitution, and no one can force her to sing 'Vande Mataram.'
Yadav said Independent councillor Rubina Iqbal Khan had also declined to sing the national song, citing her religious beliefs.
He demanded an explanation from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and MP Congress president Jitu Patwari over the incident.
Yadav said in a statement that the entire state Congress unit should resign as the party is unable to move past its "double character" and if they can't take action on this issue. He stated that the woman councillors of the Indore civic body had crossed the limits of shamelessness.
He questioned the "silence" of state Congress chief Patwari on the issue, alleging that Congress members frequently criticise Lord Ram and insult Hindus.
Yadav said the Congress had created trouble over 'Vande Mataram' even during the freedom struggle, alleging that the party's government had removed five stanzas after coming to power in Independent India.
He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won the heart of the people with the order to sing the six stanzas of 'Vande Mataram'.
The Union Home Ministry had directed that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, shall be sung first when the National Song and National Anthem 'Jan Gana Man' are to be played together.
