Won't sing religious stanzas in 'Vande Mataram', I'm an atheist: Javed. Veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar has addressed the debate on 'Vande Mataram', saying he has no problem with the national song, but won't sing its religious verses. "Asking me to sing those stanzas in which there's religiosity. I have the right to atheism...I'll say Vande Mataram a hundred times," said Akhtar, adding, "But...bringing religion into the mix – that isn't acceptable.".