This refers to the report, “‘None should be forced to chant Bharat Mata ki jai'” (March 29). Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has rightly clarified that he never wanted the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’ to be forced on anyone. His original remarks, in favour of the chant, were made in the context of the unfortunate episode at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, where anti-Indian slogans were raised by some students. Bhagwat's idea was to inculcate patriotism in young minds through calculated efforts, including the chanting of ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’, which is taken for granted by Indian citizens.
However, a needless controversy has been created by the ‘liberal, secular’ segment of the media and cronies in the political class in this regard. Radical Islamists like All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi, shouting about his ‘love’ for India, refuses to say ‘Bharat Mata ki jai’, though as an MP, he has to accept ‘Vande Mataram’ when it is played in Parliament. This only shows his double-facedness and hypocrisy.
M Ratan