Does Congress want to jail Kashmiris: Omar Abdullah on Vande Mataram row
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the Congress party for politicizing the mandatory rendition of the national song 'Vande Mataram' at government events. Abdullah defended the practice as a statutory obligation and challenged Congress to change the law in Parliament if they disagree.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights ongoing political friction within the INDIA bloc and tensions regarding nationalistic symbols in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.
SRINAGAR: Does Congress want more Kashmiris to be jailed?” J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah retorted on Thursday, a day after ally Congress criticised him for the rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram at the inaugural ceremony of International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK) on Monday.“It is a statutory obligation. The entire stanza of national song Vande Mataram must be played across the country at the govt events,” the CM said, adding legal action could be taken against those who fail to stand for the full national song.He accused Congress of politicising the issue.
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