To sing or not to sing?-Parmet

Controversies rake up everyday, but lately the Vande Mataram issue questioned everyone's level of patriotism! A major hue and cry was raised when the opposition party announced that the national song (Vande Mataram) be made mandatory in educational institutions and the union government turned it down by making it optional. To add fuel to the fire, secularism was under scrutiny too as a section of people claimed it to be against their religious belief.

Telly stars tell us what they feel about this argument and whether it was amplified with intentions to create religious rifts. Riya V Anandwala talks to them.

Bhaktiyar Irani

We have a 'Jana Gana Mana' right? In a nation where people like Abu Salem and Arun Gawli can stand for elections, anything can happen. There are many more issues to be sorted out, and people are debating over this petty issue. Gandhiji left us in this democratic country, let people do what they want to. Even if it's made compulsory, people won't sing it from their heart, and if that is the case then what's the point?

Tassnim Sheikh

What difference is Vande Mataram going to make? Is it going to make us more patriotic? Well, I don't think so! Patriotism is an inbuilt feeling. It's an unnecessary motive altogether, we have many more issues to take care of. These parties just want to grab attention, so that no one forgets that they do exist! Also, I don't agree to the argument that singing a national song can be against someone's religious beliefs. You are an Indian first; I am a strong believer of this ideology.

Parmeet Sethi

Nothing should be forced or rather be strongly recommended. Opting for it or no is a personal choice. In a free and democratic country, there shouldn't be anything that we 'have-to-do'. I feel even the national anthem being played in theatres is unnecessary. If someone or some religion doesn't believe in it, then it shouldn't be forced upon. Being very religious, I don't endorse it but do understand it.

Varun Badola

One national anthem is enough! Since the day debates have been going on this topic, I have had an intuition that this topic will be blown out of proportion. They are just trying to create religious rifts. It was unnecessary to include madrasas into it.

Gaurav Chopra

The word 'compulsory' is a very strong word, and when you try to push it down someone's throat, it feels forced upon. Things like these shouldn't be made a rule. We should respect our national song, but in this way we will disrespect it and that too unnecessarily. Nothing of this sort should be made mandatory. We have to be proud of our country, which states democracy!