Indore: The Madhya Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against two Congress councillors for refusing to sing Vande Mataram during the Indore Municipal Corporation's budget session on April 8, citing religious and constitutional grounds.
The confrontation erupted when Congress councillor Fauzia Sheikh Aleem questioned if any law mandated singing the national song and walked out. Remarks by fellow councillor Rubina Iqbal Khan further inflamed tensions, sparking protests from BJP members.
Police summoned both for questioning over two days. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinod Dixit said the FIR was filed under BNS Section 196(1) for promoting enmity on religious grounds, after examining complaints from BJP councillors. Additional DCP Amarendra Singh confirmed the case was prima facie cognisable.
During four hours of interrogation, the councillors invoked religious considerations and constitutional freedoms, including freedom of religion and expression. Khan apologised for her remarks, while Aleem's representatives stated she respects the song but objected to pressure to sing it again after arriving late.
BJP leaders seized on the issue. Former MLA Akash Vijayvargiya called the councillors "no less than terrorists" and "traitors," adding, "This is a Hindu-majority country." Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised Congress's "character," urging Rahul Gandhi to explain the party's stance, referencing past refusals to say Bharat Mata ki Jai.