BSP MP dragged to court for 'disrespecting' national song

Bahujan Samaj Party Member of Parliament Shafiqur Rahman Barq, who had walked out of Lok Sabha while Vande Mataram was being played, has been dragged to court by a social activist for "showing disrespect" to the national song.

Pradip Tewari, in his petition filed in the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court of Pilibhit district on Monday, has also accused Barq of passing derogatory remarks against Vande Mataram, his counsel Sant Ram Rathore said.

The court will take up the matter for hearing on June 14.

During proceedings on May 8, Barq, the MP from Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal constituency, had walked out of the Lower House while Vande Mataram was being played, drawing criticism from Speaker Meira Kumar.

"One honourable member (Barq) walked out when Vande Mataram was being played. I take very serious view of this. I would want to know why this was done. This should never be done again," Kumar had said.