Srinagar, Sept 10 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government has to follow the existing law regarding the playing of the full version of Vande Mataram, asserting that the Congress can repeal the law if it comes to power.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar, as per news agency JKNS, said the issue was not specific to Jammu and Kashmir and that the prevailing legal and statutory requirements had to be followed.
“We have to follow the law. If Congress comes to power, they can repeal the law. But as long as the law exists, we have to follow it,” Omar said.
He said government functions attended by constitutional authorities would include the National Anthem and, under the prevailing requirement, the full stanzas of Vande Mataram.
“If the Congress government comes, I pray that the Congress government comes as soon as possible and abolishes this in Parliament. Let them do it. We have no objection,” he said.
Omar maintained that the National Conference had never accepted Vande Mataram as a party and would not accept it in the future, but added that the government would continue to fulfil its legal and statutory obligations.
“We will have to fulfil our legal and statutory obligations,” the Chief Minister said. (JKNS)
