Rajnath Singh calls Congress stand on Vande Mataram 'unconstitutional'

NEW DELHI: A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the Congress over its decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at its recent CWC session, senior Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday continued the attack, terming the party's decision "unconstitutional".

Key points

• His remarks additionally came against the backdrop of allegations that Sonia Gandhi had objected to playing more of the national song at the party headquarters on August 15.
• Criticising the Congress for opposing the singing of Vande Mataram in its entirety, Rajnath Singh described the decision as "unconstitutional" and "reprehensible".
• In a post on X, Singh remarked the Congress' "formal refusal to honour" Vande Mataram was a "very serious matter" from a constitutional perspective.
• The Congress' formal refusal not only to honour Vande Mataram but to outright oppose it is extremely regrettable and, from a constitutional perspective, a particularly serious matter.
• By opposing Vande Mataram, the Congress has made public its foolish and dangerous intentions to the country, he went on.

"The Congress' formal refusal not only to honour Vande Mataram but to outright oppose it is extremely regrettable and, from a constitutional perspective, a particularly serious matter. According to the Constitution of India, Parliament is the supreme institution of the country, and any law passed by Parliament is binding on every individual, " he remarked.

He termed the party's decision a "serious warning sign" for the future of the country and remarked it could lead to a "serious crisis" politically.

"I believe that this decision of the Congress is entirely unconstitutional and reprehensible, and from a political perspective, it is one that will create a serious crisis going forward. By opposing Vande Mataram, the Congress has made public its foolish and dangerous intentions to the country, " he went on.

According to Singh additionally, the "refusal to abide by the law" raises questions over an individual's loyalty to the Constitution. In a blistering attack on the Congress, Singh further remarked, "If someone refuses to honour the national song, a question mark is placed on their patriotism as well".

He additionally hit out at the Congress for referring to its 1937 resolution on Vande Mataram, alleging that the resolution was passed by the party "by bowing down to the radical demands of the Muslim League".

"The resolution of 1937 that the Congress refers to was one that the Congress passed by bowing down to the radical demands of the Muslim League, and its consequence was witnessed by the country in the future in the form of partition, " he continued.

"Compromising with radical elements has always proven fatal for the country, " Singh remarked, alleging that the Congress is once again "surrendering to radical elements".

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Taken together, the developments around rajnath Singh calls Congress stand on Vande Mataram ' unconstitutional&#039 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.