BHOPAL: In Indore, two Congress municipal councillors—Fauziya Sheikh Alim and Rubina Iqbal Khan—are facing legal action after refusing to sing the national song Vande Mataram during a recent session of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC).
An FIR has been registered against them at the MG Nagar Police Station under provisions related to promoting enmity and acting with common intent. The complaint was filed by BJP councillor Kamal Baghela. According to Additional DCP Ramsanehi Mishra, the case followed a detailed inquiry that included statements from multiple parties and review of available evidence. Authorities stated that the councillors’ actions and remarks could have hurt sentiments and potentially caused communal disharmony. If convicted, they could face imprisonment ranging from three to five years.
The controversy began on April 8 during a budget discussion in the IMC. BJP councillors objected to Alim allegedly arriving late to avoid the singing of Vande Mataram and demanded she participate. Both Alim and Khan refused. The situation escalated when Khan made provocative remarks during the heated exchange, intensifying tensions in the House. Eventually, the chairman asked Alim to leave the session.
Outside the House, both councillors defended their stance. Khan, in particular, made statements linking her refusal to religious beliefs and criticized her own party for not supporting them. Her remarks also drew criticism from Congress leaders, including Chintu Chouksey, who distanced the party from the controversy and reportedly recommended disciplinary action.
The issue soon turned into a broader political dispute. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav challenged state Congress chief Jitu Patwari to clarify the party’s position. Patwari, in response, accused the BJP of politicizing the matter to divert attention from civic issues, including deaths linked to contaminated water in the city.
Amid mounting pressure—including complaints to administrative authorities and calls for their expulsion—the two councillors later appeared to soften their stance. They expressed regret over their conduct and stated that everyone should respect the national song. This shift reportedly followed the circulation of past videos showing them participating respectfully in similar proceedings.