Questioning on Patriotism of Indians by Indians

The controversy of Slogan "Bharat Mata ki Jai" is not new and it is dated back to freedom struggle of India. The stooges of the British helped them in phrasing this slogan so as to sow the seeds of Communalism because of the following reasons.

Bharat Mata is an amalgam of all the goddesses of Hindu culture and more significantly of goddess Durga . She is usually depicted as a woman clad in a saffron sari holding manuscripts and the Indian national flag. The same issue is with the singing of Vande Mataram.

Historical Aspect:
Rabindranath Tagore's rejection of the song as one that would unite all communities in India. In his letter to Subhas Chandra Bose (1937), Tagore wrote:
"The core of Vande Mataram is a hymn to goddess Durga: this is so plain that there can be no debate about it. Of course Bankimchandra does show Durga to be inseparably united with Bengal in the end, but no Mussulman [Muslim] can be expected patriotically to worship the ten-handed deity as "Swadesh" [the nation].The novel Anandamath is a work of literature, and so the song is appropriate in it. But Parliament is a place of union for all religious groups, and there the song cannot be appropriate. When Bengali Mussulmans show signs of stubborn fanaticism, we regard these as intolerable. When we too copy them and make unreasonable demands, it will be self-defeating".

Religious Views:
Many Muslim organisations in India have declared fatwas against singing Vande Mataram and saying "Bharat Mata ki Jai" , due to these giving a notion of worshipping Mother India, it is considered to be shirk (polytheism) which is forbidden in Islam.

Not only Muslims, The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the paramount representative body in the Sikh Panth , said that the Sikhs will not sing Vande Mataram in the schools and institutions on its centenary on 7 September 2006 as singing of 'Vande Mataram' is against Sikh tenets as the Sikhs sought 'sarbat da bhala' (universal welfare)."

From this we can observe that "The Vande Mataram" & "Bharat Mata ki Jai" are simply a national song and slogan without any connotation that could violate the tenets of any religion."

Present scenario (Case):
The ruling BJP of Maharashtra, which used the opportunity to promote its agenda of so called cultural nationalism, seized the opportunity by suspending AIMIM MLA Mr. Waris Pathan for the entire budget session in an undemocratic way.

Firstly, The Constitution of India guarantees the Freedom of Expression under Article 19 (1) (a). It is important to note that the freedom of expression is rightly held for freedom of not expressing as both goes hand to hand. So it is our right not to express anything.Secondly, In this particular Case, The MLA's Powers and Privileges under Article 194 (1) were bypassed.

Moreover, When the Honorable Speaker of Maharashtra was asked by the media on which grounds the member of House was suspended? He replied on the basis of " Essence of the House" the MLA was suspended. There is no rule mentioned for this term. The Suspension of Member is clearly given under Rule 374 (1) in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Legislative Assemblies. It states that "The Suspension of a Member is for those who disregards the authority of the Chair or abuses the rules of the House by Persistently and Willingfully obstructing the Business thereof".

Nothing similar was happened in this case. According to Rule 374A (1) in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Legislative Assemblies,"No Members can raise any slogans". This was violated. Hypocrisy!!

Conclusion:
Many people are probably saying that the MLA deserved and is a troublemaker. But step back for a moment and think again: "Should anyone be forced to say 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' or "Vande Mataram"to prove his citizenship or patriotism? They are wrong, because you shouldn't be allowed to bully someone into saying anything. Why does any Indian need to prove his Patriotism to Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS or anyone else? I am Indian, isn't that enough? What gives anyone the moral right to demand a certificate? I dont need any certificate on Patriotism from The Pseudo-Patriots (BJP/RSS) and The Pseudo-Secularists (Congress ). Just because someone says 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' doesn't mean he will always work in the interests of the nation. If it is so,then there would have been no scams because every elected member owes allegiance. It is nothing but the propagation of the RSS idea of what India should be like and this is what the truth that goes beyond these slogans. I conclude by quoting the Allama Iqbal's Couplets.

"Abhi Tak Pa’on Se Chimti Hain Zanjeerain Ghulami Ki, Din Aa Jata Hai Aazadi Ka, Aazadi Nahi Aati…"
Translation:
"Till now our feet have been chained by the Slavery, The Day of Independence comes every year but not Independence itself".

Jai Hind...

By :Aamer Arfath

The views expressed in this article are personal and those of the author .