MEERUT, Sept. 9 -- Criticising Bageshwar Dham preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri's recent statement calling for country's National Anthem to be played at religious places such as temples, mosques and churches, Samajwadi Party's Sambhal MP Zia ur Rahman Barq on Monday said if one is a true patriot, one should prove it through one's actions and sacrifices. "Patriotism is not proven by singing songs. One has to make sacrifices for the nation to prove it. There is no history of contribution by these people in country's freedom struggle," Barq said while speaking to the media at his residence in Sambhal. Dhirendra Shastri, who made the remarks during his visit to Delhi five days ago, had earlier said that the National Anthem should be played at all religious sites at least once a week. He further said if any religious place refused to play it, it would reveal who is an anti-national and who is a patriot. In response, Barq accused Shastri's supporters of lacking historical involvement in India's fight for independence. "If you look at their history, when the freedom struggle was being fought, these people were nowhere to be seen," he said. "Our National Song and the National Anthem have their place. We respect them and will continue to do so. But to prove patriotism, one has to make sacrifices. People should not be misled by such statements. If you are a true patriot, prove it through your actions," the SP MP added. htc...