Three corporators have written to municipal chief Ajoy Mehta, asking him to reject the demand
Mehar Mohsin Haider
The proposal to make singing of 'Vande Mataram' mandatory at all BMC-run schools has hit a sour note with Muslim corporators. Across party lines, the corporators have written to the municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta, asking him to reject the demand.
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Last week, BJP corporator Sandip Patel had moved a proposal to make the singing of Vande Mataram in civic run schools mandatory. It was cleared in the civic house and sent to Mehta for his approval.
BMC chief Ajoy Mehta
Among the complaining corporators, Samajwadi Party group leader Rais Shaikh has written to the BMC chief. Shaikh claims the proposal is a clear violation of Article 28 (1) of the Constitution, which states that no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of state funds.
'Attack on rights'
Speaking to mid-day, Shaikh said, "In our religion, we can only worship Allah. Vande Mataram means worship to mother, which is not allowed, as Allah is almighty. The Constitution also makes it clear that no religious instruction shall be provided in the educational institution."
Rais Shaikh, SP leader
He added, "I am totally against Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's idea of making it mandatory. The Constitution has also given certain rights to minorities and a law to sing Vande Mataram is nothing but an attack on our rights." Shaikh plans to appeal to other Muslim corporators of the Shiv Sena and ask them to explain the issue to senior party leaders and draw some support.
Violated law
Congress corporator Mehar Mohsin Haider, too, has written to Mehta. Her letter states, "Even the Supreme Court refused to make singing of the national anthem compulsory in Kerala. Also, before Patel's proposal, a similar proposal had been tabled in 1973, 1998 and 2004. The civic chief had rejected the proposal every single time saying there is no such rule."
Speaking to mid-day, Haider said, "Also, under Section 32 (A) of the MMC Act, if the municipal commissioner has rejected any proposal in the past, then it should not be tabled again in the general body. But, the municipal secretary department has violated the law and allowed this proposal again." Another Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi has also raised his voice against the proposal.
"This is not acceptable and we are against the proposal. The Mayor did not allow anyone to speak while clearing the proposal."
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