New Delhi: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly opposed the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following its passage in Parliament. Owaisi argued that making the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory violates the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
Speaking out after the bill’s passage, Owaisi stated clearly that as a Muslim, he worships only Allah. “I am a Muslim, and I worship no one except Allah. If I worship anyone else, I will be acting against my religion,” he said.
Owaisi drew a firm distinction between the national anthem Jana Gana Mana and Vande Mataram. He said Jana Gana Mana expresses respect for the nation and its people, while Vande Mataram contains elements of devotion to a goddess. “The two are different in nature and cannot be treated as the same,” he remarked.
The AIMIM chief also questioned the formal status of Vande Mataram as the national song. He claimed that former President Rajendra Prasad erred in 1950 by recognising it as such, pointing out that Parliament never passed a formal resolution on the matter and that the Constitution does not explicitly define the term “national song.”
Owaisi cited Articles 25, 26, and 29 of the Constitution, which safeguard religious freedom and cultural rights. He maintained that no citizen can be compelled to perform an act that conflicts with their religious beliefs.
The bill’s passage in Parliament drew sharp reactions from Opposition members, with several walking out in protest. The debate over mandatory recitation of Vande Mataram has long been a sensitive issue, touching on the intersection of national identity, religious rights, and constitutional guarantees in India.
