Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 23 (ANI): Amid an escalating political row over the alleged disrespect of the National Anthem and the singing of Vande Mataram during the first day of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly's Monsoon Session, BJP legislators and party leaders, led by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur gathered at the Ridge in Shimla on Sunday and sang all six stanzas of Vande Mataram along with the National Anthem.
The event was held in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Ridge, where BJP leaders also sang patriotic songs and were joined by members of the Muslim community, including community leader Bilal Ahmad Shah.
The controversy began after Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu alleged that BJP MLAs had disrespected the National Anthem during the Assembly proceedings on Friday. The BJP, however, rejected the allegation and instead accused the Congress government of preventing the singing of the complete Vande Mataram inside the House.
Speaking to reporters and later to ANI, Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP had repeatedly sought the video recording of the Assembly proceedings to verify the Chief Minister's allegation.
"There is no question of disrespecting the National Anthem. Every member of the opposition stood and sang the National Anthem with full respect. We have been demanding the video of the proceedings for the past three days, but it has not been provided," Thakur said.
He alleged that Vande Mataram had originally been included in the Assembly's List of Business before the session began on August 21, but was removed at the last moment.
According to Thakur, the BJP had only demanded that the complete six stanzas of Vande Mataram be sung in the Assembly, following what he described as a national convention. He further alleged that the Congress leadership was spreading "false and misleading propaganda" by accusing BJP members of insulting the National Anthem.
Thakur said the party had submitted a written request to the Assembly Secretary seeking the video recording and warned that the BJP would examine legal options, including approaching the Himachal Pradesh High Court, if the footage was not made available.
"We will remain firm on our stand. If the video is not provided, we are prepared to approach the High Court because the allegation being made against BJP legislators is completely false," he said.
The BJP leader also accused the ruling Congress of disrupting the functioning of the Assembly and alleged that while the opposition wanted discussions on unemployment, jobs and other public issues, ministers and ruling party members were walking out of the House, leading to repeated adjournments.
Speaking to ANI, Muslim community leader Bilal Ahmad Shah said Muslims in India had never opposed either the National Anthem or the National Song.
"Muslims have always sung both the National Anthem and Vande Mataram. The claim that Muslims oppose it or refuse to utter certain words is misinformation and misleading propaganda being spread for political purposes," Shah said.
He added that the participation of Muslim community members in Sunday's singing programme reflected their respect for the National Song and the National Anthem.
"Muslim Community in the country don't have any objections to reference of any deity in Vande Mataram. I have come to sing it here, The muslim of the country want Development of the nation and don't want to get into this trap of Congress party in such issues," he said.
The political confrontation over Vande Mataram and the National Anthem has continued to deepen in Himachal Pradesh, with the BJP and Congress trading allegations over the conduct of the Assembly proceedings during the ongoing Monsoon Session. (ANI)
Himachal Assembly row: BJP sings Vande Mataram, National Anthem at Shimla's Ridge
