Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi declined an invitation from Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam on Thursday to participate in a mass singing event near his residence, calling it an attempt to politicise patriotism.

The Maharashtra government is organising a week-long celebration across the state to commemorate Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary. As part of this, Amit Satam invited Azmi through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Responding to the invitation, Azmi said that while he respects the national song and stands in honor when it is sung in the assembly, "no one can be forced to sing it," citing the Supreme Court’s clarification.

He added, "We also sing Jana Gana Mana with full devotion. But you label Muslims as ‘traitors’ for not singing Vande Mataram, this is cheap politics."

Taking a

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