All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MlA Waris Pathan was on Wednesday suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly for his refusal to say “Bharat Mata ki jai”, after high drama that saw both the ruling BJP-Sena alliance and the Opposition members clamouring for action against him.
In a rare show of solidarity, both the Treasury Benches and the Opposition unanimously adopted a resolution moved by Minister of State for Home Ranjit Patil for suspending Pathan from the Assembly for the remainder of the ongoing Budget Session of the State legislature.
Speaker Haribhau Bagade announced the suspension of Pathan, who represents Byculla constituency in South Mumbai, from the Assembly.
Trouble arose when AIMIM MlA from Aurangabad, Imtiaz Jaleel was speaking on the Motion of Thanks debate in the State Assembly on Governor Vidyasagar Rao’s joint address to members of both the Houses.
During his speech, Jaleel asked the State Government not to spend taxpayers’ money on building memorials of “great personalities.”
Taking exception to Jaleel’s statement, a Shiv Sena member reminded Jaleel that his party leader Asaduddin Owaisi had recently stated he would not raise the “Bharat Mata ki jai,” slogan.
Some ruling Sena-BJP members asked Jaleel if he respected patriots and great leaders and whether he would say “Bharat Mata ki jai.” BJP MlA Ram Kadam asked Jaleel to chant “Bharat Mata ki jai”.
On this Pathan intervened and said he won’t say “Bharat Mata ki jai” but would raise the cry of “Jai Hind” instead.
“We will say Jai Hind but not Bharat Mata ki jai. There cannot be a compulsion to say Bharat Mata ki jai. The Constitution does not say this,” Pathan said.
Senior BJP Minister Eknath Khadse said, “What has happened in the House is akin to the events we have witnessed on the JNU campus and other places in recent weeks. The anti-national tendencies are coming to the fore across the country and have reached this Assembly as well. This is a very serious matter. Each and every member of this House has taken an oath that he or she will abide by the Constitution. Pathan’s statement, which undermines the Constitution, is like an act of treason. The member should apologise to the House for his comment. Simultaneously, the Chair should initiate disciplinary action against him”.
Demanding Pathan’s suspension from the State Assembly, leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said, “The member’s statement is an insult to the nation. The House should initiate disciplinary action against him. People from all castes and religions have sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. It is because of the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters that we are all here today. All members should bear this in mind”.
Pathan’s statement sparked vociferous protests from both the ruling BJP-Sena alliance and Opposition Congress and NCP members, who demanded an apology from the AIMIM member. They also demanded his suspension from the Assembly.
“Pathan has misused freedom of speech, violated Parliamentary traditions and insulted Mother India. This resolution (seeking Pathan’s suspension) has been tabled in keeping with sentiments of the House...During his suspension period, Pathan won’t be able to attend House proceedings and won’t be allowed near Vidhan Bhavan premises,” Patil said, while moving the resolution seeking Pathan’s suspension.
Speaker Haribhau Bagade informed the House that the resolution was adopted unanimously.