A controversy broke out in the Indore Municipal Corporation after a Congress councillor refused to sing Vande Mataram during a budget discussion, citing her religious beliefs.
The incident took place on April 8 and led to heated scenes inside the House, with BJP councillors protesting and raising slogans.
Congress councillor Fauzia Sheikh Alim declined to sing the national song when asked during the session. Following her refusal, BJP members moved towards the chairman’s podium and created an uproar.
Amid the chaos, Chairman Munnalal Yadav asked Alim to leave the House.
Councillor Cites Religious Freedom
Speaking to reporters later, Alim said her decision was based on her faith.
“My religion does not allow me to sing Vande Mataram,” she said, adding that the Constitution guarantees her the right to religious freedom. “No one can force me to sing it.”
At the same time, she clarified that she respects the national song. “I have respect for Vande Mataram and will continue to respect it,” she said.
Alim also claimed that the issue was raised to divert attention from public concerns.
“I had stood up to raise the issue of contaminated drinking water, but instead of discussing that, I was asked to sing Vande Mataram first,” she said.
BJP and Congress Reactions
Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava called the refusal “unfortunate” and alleged that the councillor often arrives late to avoid participating in the singing of the national song.
On the other hand, Leader of Opposition in the municipal corporation, Chintu Chouksey from Congress, distanced the party from the issue.
“This is her personal opinion. The party has no concern with it,” he said, while adding, “Vande Mataram is ingrained in every citizen of India. Singing it should be mandatory.”
Background of Vande Mataram
Written in 1875 by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and later included in his novel Anandamath, Vande Mataram became a powerful slogan during India’s freedom movement.
