India, Nov. 7 -- Samajwadi Party Maharashtra President Abu Azmi's refusal to recite Vande Mataram has sparked widespread controversy as the national song completes 150 years.

What started with Azmi's refusal to attend the mass recital of the National Song ended up in a huge protest led by several BJP workers outside the Samajwadi Party leader's Mumbai residence.

Reacting to those protesting against his refusal to recite Vande Mataram, Abu Azmi said that one who believes in Allah "does not even worship his mother", let alone anyone else.

"You cannot make someone recite something forcefully. Someone who believes only in Allah and does not even worship his mother cannot worship the earth and the sun according to Islam...," Abu Azmi said....