Mumbai, July 29: Waris Pathan, spokesperson for the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has launched a verbal attack on the central government regarding the Vande Mataram and the Anti-Paper Leak Bill. He also criticized the government for the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the comments made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut about protesting students.
Pathan stated that no citizen should be compelled to recite Vande Mataram and emphasized that the government must fulfill its promises made to the students. He mentioned that the party would clarify its final stance after discussions on the bill. “We respect and honor Vande Mataram, but no one should be forced to say it. Making it mandatory is not in line with the spirit of the Constitution, which grants every citizen the freedom to practice their religion. Respecting the national flag and anthem is a duty of every Indian, and AIMIM fully honors that,” he said.
He further explained that while they participate respectfully when the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ is sung, there are certain lines in Vande Mataram that a Muslim cannot recite due to their religious beliefs. Therefore, it should not be made compulsory. Pathan warned that imposing it through law could create unnecessary tension and hatred in society.
Regarding the Anti-Paper Leak Bill, Pathan argued that merely increasing penalties will not solve the problem. He accused the government of failing to prevent paper leaks despite existing laws. “Can any new law bring back the lives of students who committed suicide after paper leaks? Millions of students’ futures have been affected. A law was made two years ago, yet paper leaks continue,” he stated.
Pathan highlighted that students’ primary demand is to ensure that no examination question paper is leaked in the future and called for effective measures to be put in place. He noted that students have peacefully and constitutionally registered their protests, prompting the government to consider their demands. However, he criticized the government’s contradictory approach, stating that while students were assured that FIRs against them would be withdrawn, notices were still being sent, and actions were being taken against their social media accounts.
In response to Kangana Ranaut’s comments about the protesting students and Gen Z, Pathan expressed strong disapproval, stating that such language is completely condemnable and not expected from a public representative. He urged Ranaut to publicly apologize to the students and Gen Z, asserting that such statements only create unnecessary controversy and that responsible language should be used in public life. “In a democracy, everyone has the right to express dissent, but using derogatory terms for any community or generation is unacceptable,” he concluded.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.