Azmi, responding to the invitation on X (formerly Twitter), said that while he respects the national song and stands during its rendition in the assembly, "no one can be forced to sing it," citing the Supreme Court’s clarification. He emphasized, "We also sing Jana Gana Mana with full devotion. But you label Muslims as ‘traitors’ for not singing Vande Mataram—this is cheap politics."
Taking a sharp dig at the BJP, Azmi remarked, "You want Muslims to sing Vande Mataram but don’t want a mayor with the surname ‘Khan’. You talk about sending Quran readers to Pakistan. This is not patriotism, it’s politics." He also criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for remaining silent on what he described as BJP leaders insulting the Constitution and minorities.
The controversy follows a directive by the Maharashtra government asking all schools to sing the complete version of Vande Mataram between October 31 and November 7. Azmi argued that compelling anyone to sing the song is inappropriate, adding, "In Islam, respect for the mother is mandatory, but prostration (sajda) is only for Allah."
BJP leaders have accused Azmi of disrespecting the national song, while he maintains that declining to sing does not imply a lack of patriotism. The issue has sparked heated debates across political and social media platforms, highlighting the sensitive intersection of nationalism, religion, and politics in Maharashtra.
With state elections approaching, this controversy is expected to intensify discussions on patriotism and minority rights, while testing the political strategies of both BJP and opposition parties in the region.
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