Bharat Mata ki Jai row: I can say ‘Jai Hind’, I love India, says Waris Pathan

My objection was as to why should someone put words into my mouth and make me say what they want. My objection was to their forcing me to say Bharat Mata Ki Jai. They should have allowed me to speak in the Assembly before suspending me.

Waris Pathan

All India Majlis E-Ittehadul Muslimeen MLA Waris Pathan on Wednesday said he was very much an Indian citizen who loves the country. Shortly after he was suspended from the state Assembly, Pathan told The Indian Express, “I am willing to say Jai Hind. I love my country.”

“My objection was as to why should someone put words into my mouth and make me say what they want. My objection was to their forcing me to say Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” he said explaining why he had refused to say ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

Pathan, who represents Byculla constituency in Mumbai, has been given additional security following Wednesday’s outrage in the Assembly against his stance of not saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’.

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According to Pathan, “I have not done anything wrong. They should at least have allowed me to speak in the Assembly before suspending me. This is undemocratic. I am an elected member of the state Assembly.”

However, Pathan wondered why he should apologise, as demanded by a section, when he had done no wrong. “We are elected members in the Assembly. We respect rules and laws,” he said.

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