BJP chief attacks Congress over Vande Mataram stance

The BJP's top leadership has escalated criticism of the Congress party, comparing it to the pre-independence Muslim League over the party's stance on Vande Mataram. The BJP president said the Congress had "formalised its insult" into a resolution, marking an official party position on the controversial slogan.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the two major political parties over nationalist symbols and their interpretation. The Congress has long maintained a nuanced position on Vande Mataram, with the party citing concerns about certain sections of the composition's historical context.

Vande Mataram, the nationalist slogan meaning "I bow to thee Mother," holds significant symbolic importance in Indian politics and public discourse. The phrase has been a flashpoint for political debate, with various parties and groups holding differing views on its universal acceptance and application.

The BJP has consistently championed the slogan as a unifying national symbol, viewing opposition to it as a challenge to patriotic sentiment. By invoking the Muslim League reference—a pre-Partition organization that eventually led to Pakistan's creation—the BJP sought to frame the Congress position as contrary to Indian national interests.

The Congress has not yet responded to the latest criticism. The party has historically sought to balance inclusivity with nationalist symbolism, though this approach has frequently drawn accusations from the BJP and its supporters of being anti-national.