The saffron party tries to create communal tension in Maharashtra; Abu Asim Azmi demands action against those fomenting trouble
MUMBAI – On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of ‘Vande Mataram’, BJP leaders on Friday tried to create communal tension by singing Vande Mataram outside the house of Mumbai-based Muslim MLA Abu Asim Azmi, and near the offices of legislators Amin Patel and Aslam Sheikh.
The Samajwadi Party legislator Azmi demanded action against those who try to force people to recite Vande Mataram and those who do superficial politics. Similarly, Amin Patel and Aslam Sheikh of Congress also welcomed the reciters of Vande Mataram and invited them to recite it in their offices.
“Those who colluded with the British are asking us for proof of patriotism,” Azmi said.
“The courts have ruled that no one can be forced to do this, yet keeping the BMC elections in mind, BJP leaders are once again doing politics of spreading religious hatred and they organised a programme to sing Vande Mataram near my house. Our Muslim ancestors sacrificed their lives in the country’s freedom struggle and those who sided with the British then are trying to teach us patriotism today. This is sad. I will approach the court against them.”
He requested Mumbai BJP President Amit Satyam and other leaders who are organising Vande Mataram singing on the road in front of his office to hold the programme in his office instead. “We will provide them all the necessary facilities. Holding the programme in the office will also provide relief to the people from traffic jams,” he added.
Similarly, Vande Mataram was sung outside MLA Amin Patel’s liaison office in Kamatipura. In this regard, senior Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that the Congress party had given Vande Mataram the status of national song in 1938 and since 1896 this song has been sung in all national meetings of the Congress. Despite this, the BJP has tried to spread the lie that some Congress MLAs are opposing this song, he said.
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Photo: BJP Leaders Chant ‘Vande Mataram’ Outside SP’s Abu Azmi’s Residence
