Vande Mataram Bill Sparks Secularism Row; Owaisi, DMK Oppose
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Lok Sabha passed a bill criminalizing insult to Vande Mataram, triggering strong opposition from AIMIM, DMK, and Congress. Critics argue it violates religious freedom and the secular fabric of India, while the government defends it as protecting national symbols.
Background
Vande Mataram, a song from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel 'Anandamath', was a rallying cry in the freedom struggle. The Constituent Assembly adopted only the first two stanzas as the national song, with certain words omitted due to secular concerns.
Key facts
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the bill, saying it forces Muslims and minorities to worship Hindu deities and violates Article 25 (freedom of religion).
DMK MP A Raja called the legislation a 'fraud' and moved an amendment in Lok Sabha, arguing it exceeds the Constituent Assembly's approval of only two paragraphs of the song.
Raja stated the bill is unconstitutional and will not stand judicial scrutiny, as it goes against India's secular fabric.
Congress MP KC Venugopal questioned the absence of Home Minister Amit Shah during the bill's passage in Lok Sabha.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also criticized Shah's absence, while other Congress members termed the bill 'divisive' and against secularism.
Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the government should have taken opposition parties into confidence and accused it of imposing its views on people.
Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh called the bill's passage without discussion a 'black day' in India's history.
The bill aims to prevent insult to national symbols, including Vande Mataram.
Prelims pointers
- Vande Mataram: National song of India, from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's 'Anandamath'.
- Constituent Assembly adopted only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram as the national song.
- Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
- Lok Sabha: Lower house of India's Parliament.
- AIMIM: All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, led by Asaduddin Owaisi.
- DMK: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a regional party in Tamil Nadu.
- National symbols: Include flag, anthem, song, and emblem, protected by law.
Mains angles
- Discuss the constitutional validity of criminalizing insult to national symbols in light of freedom of speech and expression (Article 19) and religious freedom (Article 25).
- Critically examine the secular principles of the Indian Constitution and whether such legislation undermines them.
- Analyze the role of opposition in parliamentary democracy and the importance of consensus in passing sensitive legislation.