MUMBAI: The recent Madras high court order making the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory across all schools, colleges, universities and government offices in Tamil Nadu triggered noisy scenes in the Maharashtra Assembly on Friday.
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen MLA Waris Pathan had expressed their opposition to the chanting of the National Song on Thursday outside the House. On Friday, BJP MLA Anil Gote brought the matter to the floor of the House and attacked Mr Azmi, which created an uproar.
Stating that there should not be any opposition to this issue, Mr Gote said, “It is a patriotic song, and it should not be opposed by people like Abu Azmi.” However, Mr Azmi remained firm against making it compulsory to sing the Anthem, and demanded the Speaker to allow him to talk. He also got in the Well before the speaker, which angered ruling party MLAs, who started sloganeering.
