Maharashtra: Political controversy sparked on the call of Vande Mataram (Lead-1)

Telephone

The Maharashtra government’s resolution (GR) has directed all state employees to say ‘Vande Mataram’ instead of ‘hello’. After which a political ruckus started on this on Sunday.

The order has been issued on the occasion of the 153rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, as the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence.

However, it was prepared in August itself. The Ordinance (GR) was issued by the General Administration Department headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Which applies to employees of government, semi-government, local civic bodies, aided schools, colleges and other institutions.

It is mandatory for all employees to answer phone calls with ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ instead of ‘Hello’ to address employees, talk to citizens or make public announcements.

The campaign for this was formally launched in Wardha by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

Responding to media queries, Mungantiwar said, this is a campaign launched on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. In fact ‘Jana Gana Mana’ written by Rabindranath Tagore is the national anthem and ‘Vande Mataram’ written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is the national anthem.

Fadnavis said, the slogan of Vande Mataram played an important role in our freedom struggle…the last words of Shaheed Bhagat Singh were ‘Vande Mataram’. We have to bring it back in our routine again.. From today, we start the ‘Vande Mataram’ movement.

However, many political parties started opposing this decision. Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi also expressed its opinion on this issue.

Maharashtra Samajwadi Party President Abu Asim Azmi said that this move is not acceptable. “We want to congratulate ‘Sare Jahan Se Achcha’ and not ‘Vande Mataram’. Muslims cannot chant ‘Vande Mataram’ as it is against their faith.

Azmi also sought to know whether Shinde had renounced ‘Jai Maharashtra’ and adopted ‘Vande Mataram’ under pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). I met Balasaheb Thackeray many times..

He always used to say ‘Jai Maharashtra’ and Shiv Sainiks would reply with the same.

Congress state president Nana Patole said that he is not against ‘Vande Mataram’ greeting but keeping in mind the construction of farmers, Congress will give priority to ‘Jai Kisan’ or ‘Ram Ram’.

Shiv Sena national spokesperson and farmer leader Kishor Tiwari said, “Vande Mataram is a welcome gesture. But to respect the farmers, there should be a campaign to say ‘Jai Kisan’ and to say ‘Jai Seva’ to the corruption-free government.

NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto believes that ‘Vande Mataram’ invokes a sense of pride and patriotism among Indians. But forcing people to say so is not right.

This is a violation of their right to freedom of speech and also impose a special mindset on people, let them proudly say Vande Mataram, don’t force them to say so.

Mumbai Congress working president Charan Singh Sapra said, “This is another ploy to divert attention from the major issues of concern… inflation, unemployment, rupee depreciation.” This is also an attempt to polarize! This is completely opposite to Bapu’s ideals on Gandhi Jayanti.

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