Vande Mataram cannot be treated on par with national anthem: Owaisi

AIMIM chief Owaisi has objected to the Union Cabinet's decision to grant Vande Mataram the same statutory protection as the national anthem. He claims the song cannot be treated on par with the anthem as it is an ode to a goddess and the nation does not run in the name of a god or goddess. Owaisi argues that the Constitution of India emphasizes liberty of thought, expression, and worship, and that the nation is described as a Union of States, not a goddess.