Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung has no problem in saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’; here’s why

Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung on Monday said he has no problem in raising controversial slogan 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' as there is a difference between worshipping Allah or god and one's country.

New Delhi, April 12: Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung on Monday said he has no problem in raising controversial slogan ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ as there is a difference between worshipping Allah or god and one’s country. Najeeb Jung also reiterated that refusal to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ doesn’t make anyone ‘anti-national’.

In an interview Delhi LG Najeeb Jung said, “As an Indian who owes everything to this country , I would say with pride Bharat Mata ki jai, (but) you can’t force just anyone to say anything… The right to refuse (to chant it) does not mean that you are anti-India.” Talking about AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who intensified the Bharat Mata Ki Jai slogan row, Jung said that Muslim leaders should address core issues of the community. “Owaisi is a senior politician…I have lots of respect for him but the (Muslim) community needs hand-holding on issues like better education,” said Jung. (ALSO READ: Would engage in dialogue with those raising anti-national slogans: Najeeb Jung)

On political leaders who say that those who refuse to say ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ have no right to live in India, Najeeb Jung said he would prefer to ignore such politicians rather than commenting on their remarks. Joining the debate on beef ban, which has gripped the entire country before the nationalism debate, the former vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia said he won’t eat beef as it hurts others’ sentiments, but at the same time he underlined the need to provide space to all communities in a democracy.

Calling the ‘nationalism’ debate at JNU and now NIT Sringara as a manufactured controversy, Jung said, “I would be very uncomforable with any person who shouted an anti-national slogan.” However he insisted that use of force on students is not an option. Jnug also admired the JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar and said he needs to be mentored.