BJP chief Nabin calls Congress the ‘New Muslim League’ over party’s Vande Mataram stance
BJP president Nitin Nabin criticized the Congress party for its decision to sing only two stanzas of the Vande Mataram at party events. Nabin labeled the Congress the 'new Muslim League,' accusing the party of prioritizing vote-bank politics over national sentiment.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing ideological and political tensions in India regarding national symbols and religious identity in politics.
BJP president Nitin Nabin on Thursday (August 20, 2026) slammed the Congress over its decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at their events, saying the opposition party has become the "new Muslim League" for votes.
Mr. Nabin, in a post on X in Hindi, said, "This insult to the sacred invocation of 'Bharat Mata' is a disdain for those thousands of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, keeping this very song in their consciousness."
The BJP chief's response came after the Congress Working Committee on Wednesday (August 19) decided to abide by the 1937 resolution of its highest decision-making body on Vande Mataram, saying only two stanzas of the National Song would be sung at all party events henceforth.
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