E-Paper
Singhal demands action against Bukhari
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Ashok Singhal has taken strong exception to the statement of United Democratic Front leader Syed Ahmad Bukhari that Muslims will not recite ?Vande Mataram.?
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad Ashok Singhal has taken strong exception to the statement of United Democratic Front leader Syed Ahmad Bukhari that Muslims will not recite ‘Vande Mataram.’
Talking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Singhal said Bukhari’s statement at a public meeting in Allahabad on Sunday was against the spirit of the Constitution which gave equal status to Vande Mataram and the National Anthem ‘Jan gan man’.
Terming Bukhari’s statement as ‘deshdroh’ (sedition), the VHP supremo demanded action against him. “Today they are rejecting Vande Mataram, nobody knows what will they reject in the coming days!” he said.
When pointed out that the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid had also said that Muslims were ready to make any sacrifice for the nation but would not worship because their religion did not allow so, Singhal said nobody was asking them to offer ‘aarti’ of Mother India. But as they pay respect to their parents, they should also treat the nation similarly.”
Quoting the slogan ‘Yadi Bharat mein rahna hai to Vande Mataram kahna hoga’ (if you have to live in India, you have to recite Vande Mataram), he said it was not simply a slogan but a pledge for national integrity and unity. Pointing out that some other Muslim leaders, including members of the Muslim Personal Law Board, were also opposed to Vande Mataram, he said they must not forget that they could not win even a single seat in Madhya Pradesh only because they had spewed venom on the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi.
Highlighting the significance of the song, he said thousands of people sacrificed their lives reciting this song when the British attempted to divide Bengal about 100 years ago. He said anti-India sentiments were being expressed openly but the Central government was maintaining silence for fear of losing its vote bank.
Assailing HRD Minister Arjun Singh’s stand on reservation for minorities, Singhal said: “Yeh Thakur ghutney tekney ke liye hi paida hua hai, na janey kis kis baat ke liye ghutne tekey.” (This Thakur is born to kneel down and it’s not known on which issues he would do so).
Singhal said the VHP had directed activists of the Bajrang Dal to visit every school on September 7 and convince students, even Muslims, to sing Vande Matram. He added that Bajrang Dal workers were also directed not to force anybody in this regard.
The VHP leader said many crucial issues would be discussed at Margadarshak Mandal’s meeting to be held in New Delhi on September 16 and 17. Besides, he said a massive three-day Vishwa Hindu Sammelan would be held in Allahabad from February 11 during the Ardh Kumbh 2007.
