New Delhi: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday appeared to disapprove of the remarks made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and yoga guru Ramdev on those refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and said they are views not authorised by the government through any order.
Another Union Minister Najma Heptulla sought to downplay the remarks while noting that such issues were attempts at diverting the focus from development.
“It is his opinion and I am not in agreement with him,” Naidu said reacting to Fadnavis’ remarks.
“Has the government issued any circular saying that those who don’t say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ should leave the country?” Naidu said.
Naidu said ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ slogan is not compulsory and has not been imposed on anyone through any government order but it is an emotive issue and sensibilities of all should be taken care of.
On RSS general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi’s remarks on the slogan, he said “people have strong views. It is positive. I also feel that there is nothing wrong. Bhagat Singh had also said in jail ‘Bharat Mataj ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’. That is inspiration”.
Naidu also disapproved of Ramdev’s remarks saying they were his individual view and not that of the government.
While Joshi had said that those who consider this land as their mother should say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, Fadnavis said people not saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ should leave India.
Ramdev had said had there been no law, those refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ would have been beheaded.
Heptulla said controversies are created on such remarks in order to “divert” focus of the NDA government from its developmental work.
Heptulla also dismissed suggestions that a fear psychosis prevailed among minorities in the country at present.
“Things went wrong in our country (earlier) because of such political speeches which were deviating from development plank”, the Minority Affairs Minister said.
PTI