Indore Municipal Corporators create controversy stopping National Anthem amid to sing 'Vande Mataram'

A recent incident that took place in Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has created quite a row throughout. It was the civic body’s budget session when the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ was being recited by the members present. However, the untoward incident happened then when Mayor Malini Gaud suddenly stopped amid the national anthem and started singing ‘Vande Mataram’.

Clarifying the incident later, IMC chairman Ajay Singh Naruka states, “The mistake was possibly committed following a corporator’s slip of the tongue. I don’t feel it was due to anybody’s ill intention. So, the incident should not be blown up unnecessarily.”

The Indore Municipal Corporation, headed by its local BJP MLA Malini Gaud, was also holding its civic body’s budget session on June 12 which also attended by members of the opposition party. Now that such an incident of stopping the national anthem amid has happened and this also is against the honour of the national anthem, the opposition members are seeking actions against the ones who ‘’insulted’’ it.

This has also been stated by eyewitnesses that the elected representatives and others were present at the session had started with singing the national anthem. But after a few seconds, it could be seen that some of the members abruptly stopped singing and instead started singing ‘Vande Mataram’. It is also reported that the members kept singing ‘Vande Mataram’ till the end.

Deliberate disruption of the national anthem is punishable which is a sign of disrespected and insult towards the greatest national possession. This has also been mentioned in the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 that such acts of insult towards the objects of highest honour like the national symbols of the country which includes the National Flag, the constitution, the National Anthem and map of India and the Indian constitution is strongly prohibited.

Also read: ‘Honoured to perform National Anthem with special children’: Amitabh Bachchan