Vande Mataram row intensifies in Madhya Pradesh as police book 2 Congress councillors

Weather ePaper Today’s Paper Journalism of Courage Home ePaper Politics Explained Opinion India Business Premium Cities UPSC Entertainment Sports World Lifestyle Tech Subscribe Sign In TrendingMumbai NewsDelhi NewsChandigarh NewsBangalore NewsLucknow News Advertisement function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript() { if (window.jQuery) { // jQuery is loaded, include your script jQuery(document).ready(function($) { // Your existing script for checking window width if (window.innerWidth) var page_w = window.innerWidth; else if (document.all) var page_w = document.body.clientWidth; if (page_w > 1024) { $(".add-left, .add-right").show(); } else { $(".add-left, .add-right").hide(); } }); } else { // jQuery is not loaded, check again after 0.2 seconds setTimeout(checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript, 200); } } // Initial call to the function checkAndLoadWindowSizeScript(); NewsIndiaVande Mataram row intensifies in Madhya Pradesh as police book 2 Congress councillors Vande Mataram row intensifies in Madhya Pradesh as police book 2 Congress councillors During questioning by police, the councillors cited religious considerations and constitutional freedoms for their decision not to sing Vande Mataram: Officials Written by: Anand Mohan J3 min readBhopalApr 16, 2026 07:17 AM IST ACP Dixit told The Indian Express, “The questioning went on for four hours. We asked why they refused to sing Vande Mataram. They cited religious reasons for the same. We told them they were elected to a constitutional post and their religious compulsions should not have been part of the decision.” Make us preferred source on Google Whatsapp twitter Facebook Reddit PRINT The Madhya Pradesh Police registered an FIR against two Congress councillors who refused to sing Vande Mataram during the Indore Municipal Corporation’s Budget session earlier this month. The incident took place on April 8, when the issue of singing Vande Mataram led to a confrontation inside the House. During proceedings, Congress councillor Fauzia Sheikh Aleem questioned whether any rule or law mandated the singing of the national song and subsequently walked out. Statements made by another councillor, Rubina Iqbal Khan, during the session further escalated tensions, prompting protests from BJP councillors. According to police personnel, both councillors were summoned over two days for questioning, during which their statements were recorded. Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinod Dixit said the complaint and the sequence of events were examined before registering a case under BNS section 196(1) (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc. and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony). Additional DCP Amarendra Singh said the case was found to be prima facie cognisable after inquiry, following a complaint lodged by BJP councillors. ACP Dixit told The Indian Express, “The questioning went on for four hours. We asked why they refused to sing Vande Mataram. They cited religious reasons for the same. We told them they were elected to a constitutional post and their religious compulsions should not have been part of the decision.” In their statements to police, both councillors defended their positions on constitutional grounds. Khan cited religious considerations and said that individuals have freedom in such matters, referring to judicial interpretations that protect personal choice. She also issued an apology for remarks that had drawn criticism. Aleem stated that the Constitution guarantees both freedom of religion and freedom of expression, arguing that no individual can be compelled to sing a particular song, sources close to the investigation said. Aleem’s representatives told The Indian Express, “The councillor respects the national song. Aleem was late to the proceedings, and pressure was mounted on her to sing the national song again. She objected to that demand. She respects the Constitution and believes in the justice system.” Khan has not commented on the allegations. Following the controversy, BJP leaders pounced on the issue to corner the Congress. Former MLA Akash Vijayvarghiya, the son of state Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvarghiya, alleged, “Those who don’t sing Vande Mataram are no less than terrorists. These people are traitors to the nation. This is a Hindu-majority country, a Hindu-majority state. Congress is taking this country in the wrong direction.” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also commented on the issue, saying, “…This shows the character of the Congress leaders; they even refused to say Bharat Mata ki jai. Congress’s Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, should explain why there was a policy motivating leaders to do this.” Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram