Waris Pathan’s Vande Mataram remark draws sharp political reactions

NDA leaders on Tuesday slammed AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan’s opposition to the proposed Vande Mataram Bill, insisting that respect for the national song is a matter of duty and responsibility. While BJP leaders called Pathan’s remarks misleading and divisive, Samajwadi Party and Congress leaders urged caution and constitutional balance.

New Delhi: Reacting to AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan’s remarks on the proposed Vande Mataram Bill, couple of NDA leaders stated on Tuesday that respect for the national song is a matter of national duty and responsibility and also asked him to refrain from ‘misleading’ the people on the issue.

Speaking to IANS, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said, “If you want to live in India, then you will have to say ‘Vande Mataram’. Otherwise, they can go and live in another country.”

---

Another Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister, Anil Rajbhar, said that legislation on the issue was necessary.

“The government is working on it, and such a law is very important. Statements like these only reinforce the need for such a bill. We do not know how many sons of Mother India sacrificed their lives while singing ‘Vande Mataram’ during the freedom struggle. Therefore, any form of disrespect towards it should not be accepted,” he said.

BJP National Spokesperson Guru Prakash also criticised the remarks, saying that respecting the national song is a collective responsibility. “Respecting the National Song is the duty of every citizen. If Waris Pathan or anyone else makes such statements, I believe they are acting against the interests of the nation. Such comments create an atmosphere of discord in society, which is not appropriate,” he said.

Samajwadi Party leader Udaiveer Singh adopted a more cautious approach, stating that the full context of Pathan’s remarks should first be understood.

“It is important to know the circumstances in which the statement was made and what concerns were being raised. However, as far as the National Song and the National Anthem are concerned, the country continues to follow the constitutional provisions and the principles laid down by the makers of the Constitution,” he said.

Congress leader Hussain Dalwai said that respecting Vande Mataram should not be a matter of controversy. “The issue is not whether one knows Vande Mataram or not. Showing respect towards it is important. There should be no problem in saying it. However, traditionally only a few stanzas are sung, not the entire composition. At the same time, if there is emphasis on Vande Mataram, then why not also focus on Jana Gana Mana? Why are national flags not displayed at some offices? Why are objections raised to the Ashoka Chakra? Above all, the Constitution should remain at the centre of people’s thoughts,” Dalwai said.

Meanwhile, AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan on Tuesday opposed any move to make the recitation of ‘Vande Mataram’ compulsory, arguing that while Muslims respect the national song, certain portions of its lyrics cannot be recited by followers of Islam as doing so would conflict with their religious beliefs.

His remarks came after the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24. The proposed legislation seeks to grant the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ the same legal and statutory protection currently enjoyed by the national anthem.

Speaking to IANS, Pathan said the AIMIM respects ‘Vande Mataram’, but maintained that there are specific lines in the song that Muslims cannot recite.

“I have always said that we respect Vande Mataram. We honour it. But there are some lines in Vande Mataram which a Muslim cannot recite. If those lines are spoken, it becomes shirk according to Islamic belief. We do not worship anyone other than Allah, nor will we ever; we would rather die than do so. And this is my constitutional right under Article 25, which the Supreme Court has also upheld,” Pathan said.

Questioning what action could be taken against those who choose not to recite the national song, Pathan asserted that respecting the country should not be equated with compulsory recitation and accused the BJP and the RSS of attempting to intimidate people over the issue.

“I respect my nation, but if I do not recite it (Vande Mataram), then what will you do? Hang me? Shoot me? The BJP and RSS have nothing to do but to threaten people,” Pathan added.