Owaisi opposes mandatory Vande Mataram, says it violates religious freedom
New Delhi: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly opposed making Vande Mataram compulsory following the passage of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, arguing the move violates the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Owaisi stated that as a Muslim, he worships only Allah and cannot perform any act contrary to his faith. “I am a Muslim, and I worship no one except Allah. If I worship anyone else, I will be acting against my religion,” he said.
He drew a clear distinction between the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and Vande Mataram, saying the national anthem expresses respect for the country and its people, while Vande Mataram contains elements of devotion to a goddess. “The two are different in nature and cannot be treated as the same,” he remarked.
Owaisi also questioned Vande Mataram’s status as the national song, claiming that former President Rajendra Prasad erred in 1950 by recognising it as such. He noted that Parliament had never passed a formal resolution on the matter and that the Constitution does not explicitly define the term “national song.”
