Owaisi Warns Forcibly Imposing Vande Mataram Contradicts Constitution

Hyderabad, Dec 2025 : AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday strongly opposed the idea of forcibly making Vande Mataram a test of patriotism, terming it unconstitutional and contrary to India’s foundational values. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on Vande Mataram, the Hyderabad MP emphasized that patriotism cannot and should not be measured by whether someone sings the song.

Owaisi said that India attained independence and continues to thrive as a nation because it maintained a separation between the state and religion. He warned that if reciting Vande Mataram were to become a measure of loyalty, it would betray the ideologies of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Rabindranath Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose, and countless other freedom fighters. Instead, it would align India with the ideology of Nathuram Godse and Hindu nationalism.

Using a vivid metaphor, Owaisi described India as a garden with a variety of flowers. He cautioned that if a gardener insists on only one type of flower, the garden would eventually turn into a desert, and the gardener would become a ‘jallad’—a hangman. The remark underscored his concern about enforcing uniformity in matters of national symbols and rituals at the expense of diversity.

Owaisi also highlighted the importance of religious freedom for Muslims, noting that ‘tauheed’—the oneness of Allah—is the essence of Islam. He pointed out that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the right to religious freedom. He stressed that disregarding the liberty of thought, expression, faith, belief, and worship would be dangerous and undermine the constitutional framework.

The AIMIM leader made it clear that being Muslim does not diminish one’s love for the country. “Being a Muslim does not come in the way of our love for the country. We love our country and will always love it,” he said. He criticized the notion that those not directly involved in the freedom struggle could teach patriotism to others, noting that even though Muslims have faced attacks on mosques, homes, attire, and businesses, they remain deeply committed to India and will never abandon it.

Owaisi sharply criticized speeches made during the debate, stating that true patriotism entails ending repression, poverty, exploitation, and unemployment, ensuring peace and harmony, and combating terrorism emanating from Pakistan. He objected to characterizing India as a goddess, arguing that turning nationalism into religion is unconstitutional. “It was said here that if one has to live in India, they must recite Vande Mataram. This is against the Constitution and Supreme Court orders,” he said, citing multiple judgments to back his stance.

Opening his remarks, Owaisi condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech. He recalled that during the 1940s, despite opposing Jinnah, coalition governments were formed in regions like the Northwest Frontier, Bengal, and Sindh, enrolling Hindus and Muslims into the British Army, illustrating India’s shared history of compromise and unity.

Owaisi also strongly objected to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks, particularly those referring to Ummul Momineen and Ummul Kitab, calling them offensive. He clarified, “Ummul Momineen is the wife of our Prophet, and we consider her our mother, but we do not worship her. Ummul Kitab is the Quran, but we do not worship the Quran.”

He further emphasized that the Indian Constitution begins with “We the People” and not “Bharat Mata.” The Preamble guarantees liberty of thought, expression, faith, belief, and worship. Owaisi questioned how any citizen could be compelled to worship a deity or prostrate in reverence when the very first page of the Constitution enshrines the freedom to think, believe, and practice religion freely.

In conclusion, Owaisi’s intervention underscored the constitutional protections of diversity and individual freedoms, warning against any move to equate patriotism with ritualistic practices that could marginalize minority communities in India.