Bhopal/Indore, April 11 The ruling BJP and opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh targeted each other on Saturday over a controversy that erupted after a female councillor from the ruling party in Indore refused to sing "Vande Mataram" citing Islamic beliefs.
While Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said all office-bearers of the state Congress unit should resign if they cannot take action against the councillor, the opposition party said it does not need a certificate of patriotism from the BJP.
The CM stated that it was "unfortunate" that the Congress councillor refused to sing the national song in the Indore municipal corporation and "shamelessly" stated she would not recite it.
He said this reveals the character of the Congress party.
Yadav also said that 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 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'.
Hitting back at Yadav, Patwari accused the BJP of giving a communal colour to the controversy to divert attention from basic issues.
Speaking to reporters in Indore, he said, “The national song and the Constitution are the soul of the Congress. Everyone should respect the national song.”
He said he too did not like the refusal of the two women councillors to sing ‘Vande Mataram’.
Patwari added that taking the councillor’s statements seriously, the matter has been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee and a decision will be taken “at the appropriate time”.
The state Congress chief alleged that the BJP deliberately gave a communal twist to the matter to divert attention from issues such as deaths caused by contaminated drinking water in Indore, “corruption” in the local administration, and other basic concerns.
The BJP should not give the Congress a certificate of patriotism, he added.
A row erupted on Wednesday after Congress 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.
Independent councillor Rubina Iqbal Khan also supported Alim and declined to sing the national song.