Muslim woman councillor refuses to sing Vande Mataram in MP

A Muslim woman Councillor of the opposition Congress refused to sing ‘Vande Mataram’, citing Islamic beliefs, during a meeting of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) in Indore.

The issue spiralled into a major political controversy, as she faced stringent criticism from the ruling BJP.

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav also expressed strong displeasure over the incident, stating that the Congress leadership should either expel the councillor or the party’s entire state leadership should resign if it is unable or unwilling to take action against her.

The councillor, Fauzia Sheikh Aleem, had declined to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ at the IMC budget meeting a couple of days ago.

She said that her religion, Islam, does not permit her to sing ‘Vande Mataram’.

Fauzia also asserted that she enjoys full religious freedom under the Constitution as a citizen. She added that no person can force her to sing ‘Vande Mataram.’

Another Muslim woman independent corporator, Rubina Iqbal Khan, also declined to sing the national song at the meeting, citing her religious beliefs.

On Saturday, MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav targeted the Congress over its woman councillor’s stand.

The CM sought an explanation from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and state Congress president Jitu Patwari.

“It is unfortunate that the Congress councillor refused to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ in the IMC meeting and shamelessly stated she would not sing it,” Dr Yadav noted.

“This reveals the true character of the Congress party,” the CM said. He questioned why the Congress party encourages such persons.

Dr Yadav said the entire state Congress should resign as the party is unable to move past its “double character.” He stated that the woman councillors of Indore Municipal Corporation had crossed the limits of shamelessness.

He questioned why State Congress president Patwari, who speaks on every issue, remained silent on this matter. He asked what Patwari had to say about the councillor’s comments.

“If Jitu Patwari and Congress leaders cannot take action on this issue, they should all resign,” the MP CM averred.

He also alleged that Congress members frequently criticise Lord Ram and insult Hindus.

The CM also claimed that the Congress had opposed ‘Vande Mataram’ even before independence and that its government had removed five stanzas of the song.

During the same IMC meeting, both women councillors also paid homage to Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei.

That had also resulted in a major verbal altercation between the opposition and ruling BJP councillors, who had raised slogans of ‘Jai Shree Ram’, in retaliation.