Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has challenged PM Modi-Shah to sing it without teleprompter regarding the new law on Vande Mataram. Referring to the protests of the Cockroach Janata Party, he targeted the government and advised the protesters to march to the ED-Supreme Court.
New Delhi [भारत]July 20 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to sing Vande Mataram without a teleprompter. He launched this attack on the proposed law of the Central Government, in which there is a provision to make any kind of obstruction or insult to the national anthem a criminal offence.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Raut said, “I challenge PM Modi and Shah to sing Vande Mataram without a teleprompter.” His comments came when Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to introduce a bill in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971. The proposed law seeks to make any obstruction or insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offense and is listed to be introduced on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
Accusation of undermining the movement
Speaking on the ‘Parliament March’ proposed by activists associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Raut alleged that the government has underestimated the scale of the protest movement. He said, “They did not understand what was going to happen, what is happening, and what will happen next. They thought they would exterminate us like insects. But no, this ‘Cockroach Janata Party’ has come to Jantar Mantar in thousands and lakhs. This movement is getting support in major cities across the country.”
Referring to the protests in Maharashtra, Raut said, “Yesterday, the biggest protest took place in Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Uddhav Thackeray ji, Aditya Thackeray ji, we all were there with thousands of people, children and youth. Similar protests have taken place in Pune, Nagpur and across Maharashtra, and they are happening everywhere.”
ED-Supreme Court march advice
Questioning the government’s response to the protests, he said, “What will you do? Will you put all the people coming out in lakhs in jail? Or will you release the CBI on all of them? If it was in the hands of the government, it would have initiated ED action against every single person sitting at Jantar Mantar. But this is not possible now.”
Raut further said that if permission is not given to march on Parliament Street, the protesters should march towards the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters and the Supreme Court. He said, “I would say that if we are not being allowed to march on Parliament Street, then the march should go towards the ED headquarters and the Supreme Court. These two institutions have caused a lot of damage to the country—the nation.”
Sonam also spoke on Wangchuk case
On Delhi High Court proceedings related to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, Raut said the matter should be left to the judiciary and praised the protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar. He said, “Look, let the judicial matters be handled by the courts. As far as the children sitting at Jantar Mantar are concerned, every child there is a leader. They do not need any leader.”
His comments came a day after the Delhi High Court refused to direct Sonam Wangchuk to be shifted from Safdarjung Hospital to a private hospital of her choice. Wangchuk’s wife has since challenged the order before a division bench, arguing that it violates her rights to bodily autonomy, informed consent and personal liberty.
Meanwhile, activists associated with CJP are preparing to march towards Parliament with their demands for education reforms, while Delhi Police has made tight security arrangements. Wangchuk, who was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital after a long hunger strike, has said that he will end his fast if the government accepts accountability for recent failures in the education system or if MPs assure him that the issue will be taken up during the monsoon session. (ANI)
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