Explorer

If not mother, will you salute Afzal Guru? VP Naidu on 'Vande Mataram' row

New Delhi [India], December 08 (ANI): After a mayor in Uttar Pradesh ruled that singing of national song, 'Vande Mataram', before local body meetings was not necessary, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday asked if not the motherland, should they salute Afzal Guru.

Wondering as to why some people refuse to sing 'Vande Mataram', the Vice President said the slogan meant salute to the motherland.

"Vande Mataram mane maa tujhe salam. Kya samasya hai? Agar maa ko salam nahi karenge to kisko karenge, Afzal Guru ko karenge kya? (Vande Mataram means salute to mother. What is problem with it, if you don't salute your mother, who would you salute, Afzal Guru?)," he asked while releasing a book on late VHP leader Ashok Singhal in New Delhi.

Afzal Guru was convicted and hanged for his role in the attack on the Parliament in December 2001.

Naidu further emphasized that Hinduism was "our culture, our tradition" adding that some people were trying to give narrow meaning to it and attacking patriotism, nationalism.

"I want to tell people Bharat Mata ki Jai is not just about one photo, it is about all 130 crore people living in this country irrespective of their caste, colour, creed and religion. They all are Indians," Naidu said.

Kicking up a row, newly-elected Meerut mayor Sunita Verma, who was a Bahujan Samaj Party mayoral candidate, on Wednesday reversed an earlier order that had made singing of the national song mandatory before meetings of Meerut Municipal Corporation.

Verma, reportedly, said that as per the constitution of the municipal board, National Anthem 'Jan Gan Man' would be sung before the meetings.(ANI)


This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
Another Blow To Congress As I-T Dept Serves Rs 1,700-Crore Notice Ahead Of Lok Sabha Elections: Report
Another Blow To Congress As I-T Dept Serves Rs 1,700-Crore Notice Ahead Of Lok Sabha Elections
Sunita Kejriwal Launches WhatsApp Campaign To Drum Up Support For Jailed Delhi CM
Sunita Kejriwal Launches WhatsApp Campaign To Drum Up Support For Jailed Delhi CM
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Mukhtar Ansari Death: Krishnanand Rai family's reaction and statement over gangster's demiseABP SHIKHAR SAMMELAN 2024: Rajnath Singh Over 'Raksha Sutra' Of Mission 400 | ABP NewsMukhtar Ansari Death: Gangster's Passing and Graveyard Arrangements, watch ground report | ABP NewsABP SHIKHAR SAMMELAN 2024: 'People Might Ask To Reveal Who Voted For Whom Soon': Rajnath On Electoral Bonds
Embed widget