New Delhi, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A political controversy erupted on Tuesday after AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan opposed any move to make the recitation of Vande Mataram compulsory, drawing sharp criticism from BJP leaders and members of the NDA, who said respect for the national song was a national duty.
The row comes after the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24. The proposed legislation seeks to extend the same legal and statutory protection to the national song Vande Mataram as is currently available to the national anthem.
Speaking to IANS, Pathan said the AIMIM respects Vande Mataram but maintained that certain portions of the song cannot be recited by Muslims as they conflict with Islamic religious beliefs.
“I have always said that we respect Vande Mataram. We honour it. But there are some lines in Vande Mataram which a Muslim cannot recite. If those lines are spoken, it becomes shirk according to Islamic belief. We do not worship anyone other than Allah, nor will we ever. This is my constitutional right under Article 25, which the Supreme Court has also upheld,” he said.
Pathan also questioned the idea of making the recitation of the national song compulsory, asserting that respect for the nation should not be equated with mandatory recitation. He accused the BJP and the RSS of attempting to intimidate people over the issue.
His remarks drew an immediate response from Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, who said that anyone choosing to live in India should say Vande Mataram, adding that those unwilling to do so could live elsewhere.
Another Uttar Pradesh Minister, Anil Rajbhar, supported the proposed legislation, saying recent statements had only reinforced the need for such a law. He said countless freedom fighters had sacrificed their lives while chanting Vande Mataram, and any disrespect towards the national song should not be tolerated.
BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash also criticised Pathan’s remarks, saying respect for the national song was the duty of every citizen. He alleged that such statements were against the national interest and could create discord in society.
Samajwadi Party leader Udaiveer Singh adopted a more measured stand, saying the complete context of Pathan’s remarks should first be examined. He added that matters relating to the national song and national anthem should continue to be guided by constitutional provisions and the principles laid down by the framers of the Constitution.
Congress leader Hussain Dalwai said there should be no controversy over respecting Vande Mataram. While noting that only a few stanzas of the composition are traditionally sung, he said equal emphasis should also be placed on the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and on upholding constitutional values.
The remarks have added to the political debate surrounding the proposed amendment, with parties taking differing positions on the balance between constitutional rights, religious freedom and expressions of national respect.
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