MP Shafiqur Rehman Burq revolts against Vande Mataram

The Bahujan Samaj Party MP Shafiqur Rehman Burq, who walked out of the Lok Sabha when the national song was being played at the closure of the budget session, defended his action. “I see no reason to apologise or explain,” he said, a day after he invited speaker Meira Kumar’s ire for disrespecting the song. Instead of standing up, the MP walked out when the speaker ordered playing of the national song after adjourning the House sine die.

“I will not write any apology letter. Why should I write?” Burq said, when asked if he would apologise.

Defending his action, the MP said the first stanza of the song was against his religious beliefs, which means to bow head before the motherland.

“I can give my life to motherland and I have been taught heaven lies beneath the feet of mother. But I cannot bow my head to her, which is reserved only for God,” Burg told dna.

Earlier he told TV channels that he had not acted against the constitution. “The status of the national song under the constitution is not the same as that accorded to the national anthem. I completely respect the national anthem. I honour the national anthem,” Burq said.

The BSP MP said the sentiments of Muslim MPs needed to be taken into consideration as well, while playing this song.

 “India is a democracy, there is secularism here. When there are 30 crore Muslims living in the country you have to be considerate towards their emotions as well,” he said.