Political Parties Weigh in on 'Vande Mataram' Debate Amid Calls for Unity

NEW DELHI, September 3 — The "Vande Mataram" row has moved from cultural commentary to the political arena as parties across the spectrum express their positions.

Geetanjali Angmo, wife of activist Sonam Wangchuk, sparked the latest discussion by questioning how non‑Hindu communities could sing a song that references Hindu deities in its later verses. In reaction, Maulana Sajid Rashedi of the All India Imams Association declared that Muslims are barred by their faith from performing the song, even if the President were to order otherwise.

Rashedi stressed that the Constitution allows individuals to decline any act that conflicts with religious doctrine, and he labeled the comparison of ghazal couplets with "Vande Mataram" as misleading.

Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar called for respect of existing laws, asserting that every citizen must honor the nation’s symbols. Conversely, a BJP statement supported Angmo’s observation, interpreting the mention of Mother Durga as a metaphor for courage and the defeat of foes, not a doctrinal imprint.

The divergent viewpoints highlight how national symbols can become contested ground in India’s pluralistic democracy, prompting calls for a broader dialogue on inclusivity and respect.