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Varanasi mayor makes singing 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana' compulsory
April 03, 2017
The mayor of Varanasi has issued orders making it mandatory for every municipal corporation member to sing 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana' after a BJP corporator's proposal for singing the songs triggered protests by Congress and Samajwadi Party members.
The row was kicked off on Saturday last when BJP corporator Ajay Gupta put forth a proposal that the national song should be sung before house proceedings.
Taking a strong view of the protest, mayor Ram Gopal Mohale said in a statement today that action would be taken against the SP and Congress members for allegedly insulting the national song and raising derogatory slogans.