The Madhya Pradesh Police have registered an FIR against two Congress councillors following a heated confrontation over the singing of Vande Mataram during an Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) budget session earlier this month.
According to reports, the legal action stems from an incident on April 8, where a disagreement over the national song led to a walkout and intense protests within the House.
The case was registered under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to promoting enmity between different groups and committing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony.
According to reports, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vinod Dixit said the decision to file the FIR followed a formal complaint by BJP councillors and a preliminary inquiry that deemed the matter a cognisable offense.
The controversy surrounding the refusal to sing Vande Mataram has expanded beyond the halls of the Indore Municipal Corporation, with protests now intensifying in the state capital, Bhopal.
As of mid-April 2026, the issue has become a flashpoint for political and communal tension across Madhya Pradesh. Following the registration of an FIR against Congress councillors Fauzia Sheikh Aleem and Rubina Iqbal Khan, various groups have taken to the streets in Bhopal, either in support of the police action or in defense of constitutional freedoms.
Organizations supporting the BJP staged sit-ins at Roshanpura Chauraha and Board Office Square, demanding the immediate disqualification of the councillors, said reports.
Civil rights activists and select Congress supporters held a demonstration near the Bhopal Collectorate, arguing that “forced patriotism” violates Article 25 (Freedom of Religion) and Article 19 (Freedom of Expression) of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, Bhopal police have deployed additional forces near the State Assembly and ministerial bungalows to prevent clashes between opposing factions.
Confrontation in the House
The controversy began when Congress councillor Fauzia Sheikh Aleem questioned whether any specific law or rule mandated the singing of the national song during official proceedings.
Following her inquiry, she walked out of the session. Tensions were further exacerbated by remarks made by another councillor, Rubina Iqbal Khan, which prompted immediate protests from BJP members.
Both councillors were subsequently summoned by the police for questioning, during which their statements were recorded over a four-hour session.
ACP Dixit reportedly noted, “We asked why they refused to sing Vande Mataram. They cited religious reasons for the same. We told them they were elected to a constitutional post and their religious compulsions should not have been part of the decision.”
Constitutional Arguments and Defense
In their defense, both councillors invoked constitutional protections. Rubina Iqbal Khan cited religious considerations and the right to personal choice, pointing toward judicial interpretations that protect an individual’s freedom in such matters. While defending her stance, Khan also issued an apology for specific remarks that had drawn criticism.
Fauzia Sheikh Aleem argued that the Constitution guarantees both freedom of religion and expression, asserting that no citizen can be compelled to sing a specific song.
Her representatives later clarified that Aleem respects the national song and explained that she arrived late to the proceedings. They claimed she only objected when “pressure was mounted on her to sing the national song again.”
Political Escalation
The incident has triggered a sharp political backlash from the ruling BJP. Former MLA Akash Vijayvarghiya issued a scathing critique, stating, “Those who don’t sing Vande Mataram are no less than terrorists.
These people are traitors to the nation. This is a Hindu-majority country, a Hindu-majority state. Congress is taking this country in the wrong direction.”
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also weighed in on the controversy, questioning the Congress leadership’s stance.
He reportedly said, “…This shows the character of the Congress leaders; they even refused to say Bharat Mata ki jai. Congress’s Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, should explain why there was a policy motivating leaders to do this.”
