Constitution says `Bharatmata ki jai': It's a slogan of choice
The assertion of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi that he would not say `Bharatmata ki Jai' even if a blade was put on his neck had found supporters from the Congress leadership. Salman Khurshid, former Union Minister and grandson of former President Zakir Hussain, came out in support of Asaduddin, saying the slogan could not be forced down the throat of anyone. Salman Khurshid said when you hear the National Anthem you feel proud. `You have the same feeling when you see the National Flag or hear Vandemataram. But some people do not have such feelings. That is their choice,' he added. At the other end, the Shiv Sena leaders in Maharashtra are angered by Asaduddin's assertion. What the MIM chief had said was that the Constitution does not say you raise the slogan `Bharatmata ki Jai.' What the Constitution Article 1(1) says, `India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States.'
