“Islam permits worship of only one God”, says Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq from UP

He also opposed saying Vande Mataram

New Delhi – Six years after former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq sparked controversy by refusing to sing Vande Mataram in Parliament, his grandson and current SP MP from Sambhal, Zia-ur-Rahman Barq, has reiterated the same stance, asserting that abstaining from singing the national song cannot be used to question his patriotism.

Responding to remarks by SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi, who recently declined to sing Vande Mataram as it marks 150 years since its composition, Zia-ur-Rahman said, “My grandfather always opposed it and never sang it, and neither do I. This doesn’t question my patriotism.”

🚨 SP MP Refuses To Say “Vande Mataram”

Samajwadi Party’s Ziaur Rahman Barq from UP claims “Islam allows worship of only one God.”

Even his family has opposed “Vande Mataram”; his grandfather had walked out of the Assembly during its rendition!

Nationalists now ask – should… pic.twitter.com/cgJnx4LQ1j

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) November 11, 2025

He said that Vande Mataram is the national song, not the national anthem, and said he has never sung it as some words in it go against his religious beliefs, said reports.

The MP added that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to practise their faith, and his decision not to sing Vande Mataram is within that right.

“It has a word which is against the preachings of Islam… We love the land of our country and are loyal towards it but we cannot pray before it as it is against our religion,” he explained.

Reference to the Supreme Court

MP Barq cited a Supreme Court ruling, saying, “No one can be compelled to say or sing Vande Mataram.” At the same time, he clarified that there is a distinction between the national song (Vande Mataram) and the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana). According to him, there is nothing objectionable in the lyrics of the national anthem, and therefore, it is sung in schools and madrasas.

Editorial Perspective

Since the Samajwadi Party is considered an “Islamist party,” from its leader down to its members, they have consistently opposed saying Vande Mataram. It has now become necessary to enact a law banning such parties altogether.