SRINAGAR : National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday sparked a sharp exchange in the Lok Sabha after warning that forcing citizens to sing Vande Mataram violates constitutional freedoms and undermines India’s plural ethos. Follow Us On G -N e w s | Whatsapp

Speaking during a discussion on the national song, the Srinagar MP said that while no community opposes Vande Mataram or disrespects it, the problem arises “only when it is said that people must sing it to prove their loyalty or claim their place in the country”.

He argued that religious freedom is an “eternal identity” protected by the Constitution and cannot be overridden by demands for conformity. “You say it is a national song; we respect that, and we stand up for respect. But you want us to s

See Full Page