A scuffle broke out between a teacher, who identifies himself as Afzal Hussain, and locals at a primary school in Abdullahpur on Wednesday after the former allegedly refused to say 'Vande Mataram' after flag-hoisting on the Republic Day (January 26).
The video of the incident has apparently gone viral on social media after which Hussain too stated that he had not said ˜Vande Mataram" as the same is against his religious belief.
Katihar:Scuffle broke out when a primary school teacher Afzal Hussain refused to sing 'Vande Mataram' on Jan 26;Hussain says,"We worship Allah & Vande Mataram means 'vandana'(worship) of Bharat which is against our belief.Constitution doesn't say it's necessary to sing it".#Bihar pic.twitter.com/JjyEWpGRGt
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019
Afzal Hussain said, "We believe in Allah and Vande Mataram is against our belief. The term means Vandana of Bharat Mata which is not what we believe in. Nowhere in the Constitution is it written that saying Vande Mataram is necessary. I could have lost my life.
However, Bihar Education Minister told media that action will be taken if incident of this sort has occurred. National song's insult is not forgivable at all.
Bihar Education Minister on a primary school teacher Afzal Hussain who refused to sing 'Vande Mataram' on Jan 26 in Katihar: Action will be taken if incident of this sort has occurred. National song's insult is not forgivable at all. https://t.co/rcYxIpTdhW
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2019
(ANI)