Haryana minister questions word 'adhinayak' in national anthem

Chandigarh: Haryana's health minister Anil Vij questioned the word 'adhinayaka' in India's national anthem Jana Gana Mana, insisting it was like praising a dictator. He tweeted saying, “We have full respect for the national anthem, but which 'adhinayaka' are we praising in this, till date I have not been able to understand this.” When contacted by the media, he said, “I feel time has come that a national debate should take place on this. Adhinayaka ka matlab hota hein tanashah (the word adhinayak means a dictator). In democracy, there is no place for a dictator.” He said he wanted to know who the 'adhinayak' is, in the anthem, and said a healthy debate” on the issue is needed.