MUMBAI, 27 July 2007 — A writ petition was filed in the Mumbai High Court yesterday against Third Front vice presidential candidate Rasheed Masood who has reportedly said he would not sing the Hindu patriotic song “Vande Mataram” even if elected vice president of India.
The petitioner, Virendra Mishra, has requested the court not to allow Masood contest the election because of his slight to the Hindu song.
Mishra said that Masood, who is a member of the Parliament from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh and a United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) candidate, had during interviews to “Aaj Tak” and “Sahara” television channels said that he would not sing the song at any cost as it was against his religion.
“This is an insult to the national patriotic song Vande Mataram and it would not be fair to elect a person like Masood, who has no love for the country, to the highest post of vice president. Therefore his candidature should be revoked,” Mishra appealed in his petition.
