New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday hit out at those refusing to sing Vande Matram saying it reflected their narrow-mindedness.
"There is a controversy in the state over singing the national song. Some people say they will not sing Vande Matram. The ceremony at Allahabad High Court began with a national song. We want to take this country into the 21st century, but the debate is about whether we should sing the national song and national anthem. We need to overcome this narrow mindedness," ANI quoted Adityanath as saying at a book release function in Lucknow.
His remarks come in the backdrop of Muslim corporators in Meerut refusing to sing the national song and Samajwadi Party corporators in Allahabad and Varanasi protesting a proposal to make singing of the national song compulsory.
Recalling the 150th anniversary functions of the Allahabad High Court, the Chief Minister said it had commenced with the rendition of 'Vande Matram'.
"It was such a good sight... it was a grand function, a historical one. The Prime Minister of the country was present at the concluding function. The Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the state were also present. The function itself started with the national song," the chief minister noted.
Many Muslim organisations across the country have over the years consistently refused to sing Vande Matram saying the words go against the tenets of their religion. The issue has flared up after the Yogi Adityanath government was sworn in.
Comments
0 comment