The row over 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' grew further today as a lawmaker of Asaduddin Owaisi' AIMIM was suspended from the Maharashtra assembly after he refused to chant the slogan. Waris Pathan suspended till the session ends for using "derogatory language" against the nation.
During a discussion on using government funds for memorials for national heroes, Waris Pathan said the "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogan cannot be forced on people as it is not mentioned in the constitution and he would prefer to say Jai Hind instead.
Following a ruckus in the house, lawmakers asked that Mr Pathan and his colleague Imtiaz Jaleel be suspended.
The controversy over the Bharat Mata ki Jai slogan was triggered by his party boss Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday. In response to the suggestion by BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh that the use of the slogan be encouraged in schools and colleges, Mr Owaisi had said he would not use the slogan "even if a knife was put" to his throat, since it was not a constitutional requirement.
His comment has raised the hackles all round. While the Shiv Sena has asked that Mr Owaisi be sent to Pakistan, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has said those who don't want to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai, have no right to live in India
Today, Union minister Smriti Irani said the controversy highlights "the kind of challenging times we are passing through" and wondered where else 'Bharat mata' will be hailed if not in India.
Rajya Sabha member Javed Akhtar, too, took on Mr Owaisi, saying while the leader from he refuses will not chant Bharat Mata ki Jai because it is not said in the Constitution. "The Constitution also does not ask him to wear a Sherwani and cap... I condemn his statements on all fronts," said Mr Akhtar, a nominated member of Rajya Sabha who will be retiring later this year.