Adityanath should focus on issues of governance rather than Vande Mataram: JD(U)

Training guns at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over his remark on Vande Mataram, Janata Dal (United) on Sunday said the former should focus more on burning issues of governance rather than the National Song.

"I think Yogi Adityanath would serve the people of Uttar Pradesh better if he looks to the burning issues of governance rather than who should sing Vande Mataram and how," JDU leader Pavan Varma told ANI.

Varma further said it was a talent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and their affiliates to make an issue out of the national song.

Echoing the similar sentiment, JD(U) leader Ali Anwar said the BJP had been trying to make people do things forcefully.

"This is a diverse country with people having different religious beliefs, faith and rituals but they try to force people to do everything. They want to get their work done forcibly," Anwar told ANI.

Adityanath yesterday said that not singing the National Anthem and the National Song was a serious issue, adding that by doing so it only highlighted one's prejudice.

"We want to see development in this country, but our issue of conflict is over not singing the National Anthem and the National song. Not singing Vande Mataram shows a prejudiced mind. This is a matter of concern," Aditynath said at the book unveiling function of 'Governor's guide'.

The Chief Minister's comments come after a controversy erupted over singing Vande Mataram in the Varanasi and Meerut Municipal corporations.