New Delhi [India], Jan 2 (ANI): BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday criticised the Madhya Pradesh government's decision to prohibit reciting of 'Vande Mataram' in the secretariat on the first day of the month, claiming that the Congress party has betrayed the people of the state.

"Vande Mataram is not just a song but it is the symbol of India's independence movement and an inspiration point for all Indians. By putting a ban over it Congress has not only insulted those who have laid down their lives for the motherland with a clarion call of Vande Mataram but has also betrayed the people of Madhya Pradesh," Shah wrote on Facebook. "As part of any political thought, insulting those who have laid down their lives, is treason in view of any common Indian such as me."

Furthermore, Shah demanded Congress president Rahul Gandhi to clear his stand on the issue and asked whether it was his decision to prohibit the singing of the national song.

The post came a day after the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh decided to stop the preceding government's tradition of reciting 'Vande Mataram' on the first working day of every month.

Kamal Nath had said that reciting the national song, 'Vande Mataram', was not a validation of one's patriotism. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)