Slogan row: What is wrong in worshipping mother, asks Venkaiah

March 28, 2016 07:49

In a dig at AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi for his refusal to raise the 'Bharat Mata ki jai' slogan, Union minister and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu asked what is wrong in worshipping mother.

"It has become a fashion now to make an extreme meaning of everything and mocking at it. I won't say 'Bharat Mata ki jai' even if my life is taken out. Before he reached gallows, (freedom fighter) Bhagat Singh said 'Bharat Mata ki jai'," Naidu said.

Naidu, who did not name Owaisi, said, "During the freedom movement, 'Vande Mataram' united all Indians. It means 'Mata' (mother), salutation to you. What 'Mata'? not Christian 'Mata', Hindu 'Mata', 'Muslim 'Mata', forward 'Mata', backward 'Mata'. 'Mata' is 'Mata'. What is the objection in that. Why, (it is said that) there is worship in that. Which religion said not to worship mother. Let me know. I am trying to know. I am ready for a debate".

Alleging that such comments are made for vote-bank politics, Naidu asked if "he" (Owaisi) is the only leader of Muslims".

"Did Muslims say 'Bharat Mata' is not needed," he said, adding that religion is personal. "Bharat Mata ki Jai' does not mean worshipping the image of 'Bharat Mata' but having such a feeling inside, the Union Urban Development Minister added.

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