New Delhi, 8 June 1997
30. Vande Mataram �dispute�
at BJP Muslim meeting
Express News Service
NEW DELHI, JUNE 7 - A MISUNDERSTANDING between firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharati and her senior Sikander Bakht over �Vande Mataram� created a flutter at the National Muslim Youth Convention organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha here today.
In a departure from BJP tradition, the convention did not begin with the national song, inviting Bakht�s wrath. Chiding the Muslim community for what he called its well-known objections to Vande Mataram, the BJP leader told the gathering that he was �ashamed� by this.
Vande Mataram means salutation to the Motherland, he said. �Can�t we salute our Motherland? Why should we be ashamed of it?� he asked.
Bharati, however, clarified later that she had scrapped the song as the president of the Morcha because no one had come prepared to sing it. �No one knew all the words or had practised the song,� she said in defence of her decision. �Unfortunately, Bakhtji got the wrong impression.�*
Bakht
told ENS that he was not upset with Bharati for her decision. �She did
it out of consideration for the Muslim community. I am upset that Muslims
feel this way about the song. Why should this feeling be there at all?�
he said.
Footnotes:
* Uma
Bharati has perfected the art of lying with a straight face. Hindus should
beware of double-faced firebrands like her. She is quite capable of spitting
venom against Hindus and Hinduism in her usual firebrand fashion if her
claim as an OBC leader, or as a warrior for woman�s rights, or even as
a spokesperson for the dalits is not conceded in due course.
