Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi on Friday reaffirmed his refusal to recite Vande Mataram, saying that doing so would go against his religious beliefs and that patriotism cannot be imposed on any citizen. His statement came a day after he declined an invitation from the BJP to join a mass recital of the national song in Mumbai, sparking protests outside his Bandra residence.
Azmi, who has long maintained his stand on the issue, said that while he respects Vande Mataram and those who choose to sing it, no one should be compelled to do so. “Our ancestors, too, have sacrificed their lives for this country. India belongs to everyone. There is a Constitution here, and no person can impose their religion on another,” he said.
He accused political parties of using Vande Mataram and patriotism as “weapons of politics,” adding that such divisive tactics were eroding social harmony. Muslims sing Jana Gana Mana with respect, but they do not sing Vande Mataram because some of its words contradict Islamic tenets. Whoever wants to sing it should do so freely; we have never opposed it,” Azmi said.
The MLA argued that Islam forbids worshipping anyone or anything apart from Allah. “You cannot make someone recite something by force. A true believer in Allah cannot worship the earth or the sun. Those who want to recite it can do so, but those guided by their faith will not,” he said.
As his comments gained traction, several BJP workers gathered outside his home, chanting Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai slogans. The demonstrators demanded that Azmi apologise for “insulting” the national song. BJP MLA Raj K Purohit said, “If you don’t have love for the country, then go to Pakistan. You live in India, you are an MLA here — respect the country and the song.”
The controversy began after Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam invited Azmi to join a public recital marking 150 years of Vande Mataram. In his written response, Azmi thanked Satam for the invitation but declined, citing religious grounds. “Reciting Vande Mataram is not permissible for Muslims as some of its verses are related to worship and prayer — elements of the Hindu faith. Just as you cannot join me in offering Namaz, I cannot sing Vande Mataram,” he wrote.
Azmi also invoked the Supreme Court’s position that compelling anyone to sing a national song violates the constitutional right to freedom of religion and conscience. He accused the BJP of politicising nationalism ahead of the Mumbai civic elections. “You want Muslims to sing Vande Mataram, you don’t want a mayor named Khan, you call those who read the Quran ‘traitors’, and you send them to Pakistan. This is not patriotism — this is division,” he said, criticising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for “silently watching” such politics.
Azmi reiterated that respect for the national song does not require every citizen to sing it, asserting that his faith prevents him from doing so. “The country doesn’t belong to anyone’s father. It belongs to all of us — my ancestors fought for its freedom too,” he said.
The Maharashtra government had earlier directed all schools to sing the full version of Vande Mataram from October 31 to November 7 as part of its 150th-anniversary celebrations. The song, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1875, remains a powerful national symbol — and, as this episode shows, still a source of deep political and cultural contention.
