New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) A war of words broke out between the opposition leaders and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday after the Centre issued fresh guidelines for National Song and National Anthem, with the Opposition asserting that the Union government cannot impose anything forcibly and that emphasis should be instead given to education. However, BJP leaders backed the move.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all Central government offices and Governors’ offices to ensure strict adherence to the prescribed script, text, diction and pronunciation while singing or playing the National Song and the National Anthem, reiterating the protocols governing their use at official functions across the country.

NCP-SP national spokesperson Naseem Siddiqui said: “The government cannot forcibly impose anything on citizens.”

“Muslims cannot recite ‘Vande Mataram’ because, according to their belief, they worship and believe in only one God. Therefore, they cannot bow their heads before anyone or anything other than ‘Allah’. Muslims can stand in respect to the national song but a true believer of the religion won’t sing it,” he told IANS.

Congress MP Imran Masood said that the Union government should rather focus on imparting education to children.

Masood added: “They (Centre) don’t want to teach. At least let them get an education. Education is the foremost need. Education and healthcare in the country should be completely free.”

Congress leader Rakesh Sinha underlined that every citizen of India holds the highest regard for the national anthem and the national song.

“Every person pronounces them with respect and correctly because they are deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of every Indian. Therefore, no guidelines are needed on this for Indians as citizens already respect the anthem and the song,” he told IANS.

Sinha questioned the need of sequencing the national song and national anthem.

“Why is it that the national song will be followed by the national anthem?” he asked.

An earlier order by the MHA said: “When the National Song and the National Anthem are sung or played, National Song will be sung or played first.”

However, BJP MP Tarun Chugh welcomed the Union government’s directive, saying: “This is an appropriate step to further strengthen the respect for national symbols. The national anthem and the national song, are not just a formality, but a symbol of India’s unity, integrity, pride, and national consciousness.”

“It is the primary responsibility of every individual and establishment to sing both of these with correct pronunciation and by following proper protocols,” he added.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma echoed, saying: “It is a very good decision, the government has already been striving to make singing of the full national song mandatory.”

BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain added: “Vande Mataram should be the first thing; it should be sung loudly and respectfully. An advisory has been given to sing ‘Vande Mataram’ everywhere. It is already implemented in Bihar, and it will be implemented everywhere.”

–IANS

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