Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik, deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya speak for ‘Vande Mataram’

LUCKNOW: Amid the row over ‘Vande Mataram’, Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik on Sunday said everyone should respect the recognition given to it, while state’s deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya held that any effort to encourage singing of the national song should be encouraged.

“Freedom fighters had laid down their lives singing Vande Mataram. The Constitution had given recognition to national anthem and national song in 1950 but it was not recited in Parliament for 45 years.”

“We should respect the recognition given by Constitution to them (national anthem and national song),” governor Naik said while addressing the annual day function of a college in Sitapur.

In Lucknow, Maurya said those who are creating controversies over Vande Mataram must not do so. “And, if at any place there is any initiative to start the practice of singing Vande Mataram, it should be encouraged,” he said. “Vande Mataram symbolises countless tales of sacrifices made by our countrymen,” Maurya added. UP CM Yogi Adityanath had on Saturday hit out at those refusing to sing the song, saying it reflected their “narrow mindedness”.