NEW DELHI: AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi Thursday slammed the bill making “insult” to Vande Mataram a crime, saying BJP is trying to force Muslims and minorities to worship Hindu deities, while DMK claimed it was hurting the secular fabric of the country.DMK MP A Raja, who moved an amendment to the bill in Lok Sabha, called the legislation a “fraud” perpetrated by Modi govt on people. He said Constituent Assembly approved only two paragraphs of the song. “The Constitution came from Constituent Assembly, and it is unconstitutional to exceed Constituent Assembly. This bill will not stand judicial scrutiny. This is against the secular fabric of India and we will not accept it,” he said.Meanwhile, as Congress attacked govt for passing the bill amid din, MP KC Venugopal questioned the absence of home minister Amit Shah from LS when his ministry’s legislation to “prevent the insult to national symbols” was taken up. Manickam Tagore too criticised Shah’s absence from the House. Some members of Congress — which has been asking Shah questions about the police crackdown on student protesters — termed the bill as “divisive” and against secularism.Owaisi argued “national anthem — Jana Gana Mana” is a reflection of the country and its people, but Vande Mataram is about prayers to “devi-devta”. “This bill is a grave violation of Article 25 that gives freedom of religion. This is intended to convert India into a Hindu theocratic state.”Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCongress MP Tariq Anwar said govt should have taken opposition parties into confidence for this bill but “this govt tries to impose its views on people”.He said Vande Mataram was a principal song of the freedom struggle, and all Congress functions start with the national song. “But controversy is about govt interfering with the decision of Constituent Assembly…objectionable words were removed because India is secular.” Party MP Ujjwal Raman Singh called the bill’s passage without discussion a “black day” in India’s history.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Cracks Appeared Hours Before Collapse’ Rescue Teams Search For Survivors In Maharashtra’s BhiwandiCJP’s Saurav Das Says Abusive Remarks Deserve Defamation Cases, Not Criminal Prosecution | WatchRajya Sabha Passes Anti-Paper Leak Law As PM Modi Vows Zero Tolerance Against Exam MafiasPM Modi Releases New Selfie Video On Instagram As Rajya Sabha Clears Anti-Paper Leak BillAfter ‘Gau-Mutra Expert’ Remark, Priyanka Gandhi Gets Scathing Open Letter From 200+ Academicians‘Cut Shudra’s Tongue If…’: Kharge Quotes ‘Translated Manusmriti’ In RS; Sudhanshu, Nadda Hit BackAssam Flood Death Toll Rises To 78 As Over Three Lakh Remain Affected Despite Receding WatersHockey India’s Saffron Jersey Sparks Massive Row As Olympians, Critics Question Iconic Blue IdentitySonam Wangchuk Praises Vande Bharat Train; Reminds Govt To Honour Vow Made To Protesting Students₹28.5 Cr Cash Seized In Birbhum: Former Govt Bus Driver Arrested | Tulu Mondal Link Under Probe123PhotostoriesWhat Lord Shiva teaches you based on your birth dateBefore you throw out old glass jars, try these 7 DIY ideas for your kitchen, garden, and homeChef reveals the healthy salad recipe that President Droupadi Murmu asked her team to master10 tiny texting habits that quietly push people away without you realizing it10 foods that are traditionally avoided during the month of Sawan in IndiaThese 9 historic villages have survived wars, empires and centuries; yet visiting them feels like stepping into a storybookPowerful Shiva mantras you can chant for good luck based on your birth numberDR Congo Ebola second-deadliest outbreak: Death toll passes 1500; why it’s spreading so fast, the warning signs, and the vaccine challengeSawan 2026 daily rituals based on your date of birth6 traditional Pahadi dishes every food lover should try at least once123Hot PicksHurricane IrmaRuchika SinghRRB Group D Admit CardNEET selective edit windowCommonwealth Games LiveUS work permit feeE20 petrol debateAssam floodsKanwar Yatra 2026Top TrendingSaurav DasCJP ProtestBengaluru Student Protester AssaultKolkata Police New UniformDehradun Teacher SuicideAbhijeet DipkeRuchika SinghShraddha Walkar Murder CaseMumbai Building CollapseStock Market Up
NEW DELHI: AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi Thursday slammed the bill making “insult” to Vande Mataram a crime, saying BJP is trying to force Muslims and minorities to worship Hindu deities, while DMK claimed it was hurting the secular fabric of the country.DMK MP A Raja, who moved an amendment to the bill in Lok Sabha, called the legislation a “fraud” perpetrated by Modi govt on people. He said Constituent Assembly approved only two paragraphs of the song. “The Constitution came from Constituent Assembly, and it is unconstitutional to exceed Constituent Assembly. This bill will not stand judicial scrutiny. This is against the secular fabric of India and we will not accept it,” he said.Meanwhile, as Congress attacked govt for passing the bill amid din, MP KC Venugopal questioned the absence of home minister Amit Shah from LS when his ministry’s legislation to “prevent the insult to national symbols” was taken up. Manickam Tagore too criticised Shah’s absence from the House. Some members of Congress — which has been asking Shah questions about the police crackdown on student protesters — termed the bill as “divisive” and against secularism.Owaisi argued “national anthem — Jana Gana Mana” is a reflection of the country and its people, but Vande Mataram is about prayers to “devi-devta”. “This bill is a grave violation of Article 25 that gives freedom of religion. This is intended to convert India into a Hindu theocratic state.”
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Congress MP Tariq Anwar said govt should have taken opposition parties into confidence for this bill but “this govt tries to impose its views on people”.He said Vande Mataram was a principal song of the freedom struggle, and all Congress functions start with the national song. “But controversy is about govt interfering with the decision of Constituent Assembly…objectionable words were removed because India is secular.” Party MP Ujjwal Raman Singh called the bill’s passage without discussion a “black day” in India’s history.
