New Delhi: AIMIM spokesperson Waris Pathan has opposed any move to make the recitation of ‘Vande Mataram’ compulsory, saying that while Muslims respect the national song, certain lines in its lyrics conflict with the core tenets of Islamic belief.
Pathan’s remarks came after the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on July 24. The proposed legislation seeks to grant ‘Vande Mataram’ the same legal and statutory protection currently enjoyed by the national anthem.
Speaking to a news agency, Pathan said the AIMIM honours ‘Vande Mataram’ as a national song, but drew a firm line at compulsory recitation. “There are some lines in Vande Mataram which a Muslim cannot recite. If those lines are spoken, it becomes shirk according to Islamic belief. We do not worship anyone other than Allah, nor will we ever. We would rather die than do so. And this is my constitutional right under Article 25, which the Supreme Court has also upheld,” he said.
Pathan questioned what action authorities could take against those who decline to recite the song. “I respect my nation, but if I do not recite it, then what will you do? Hang me? Shoot me? The BJP and RSS have nothing to do but to threaten people,” he said.
He drew a clear distinction between the national anthem and the national song. “We recite ‘Jana Gana Mana’ with all our heart and soul. We salute the Tricolour. The Supreme Court has held that the national anthem is mandatory, whereas the national song is not. If you force something upon us, it would be unconstitutional and against democracy,” Pathan said.
The AIMIM leader also pushed back against the labelling of Muslims as unpatriotic for not reciting portions of ‘Vande Mataram’ they consider religiously impermissible. He pointed to the role of Muslims in India’s freedom struggle as evidence of their patriotism.
“If a Muslim’s religion does not allow them to recite these things, you start making allegations that they are not patriotic. This is completely wrong. Our people have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this country,” he said.
Pathan also questioned whether BJP leaders themselves know ‘Vande Mataram’ well enough to recite it without reading from a teleprompter.
