Jammu, 05 November 2025: BJP J&K spokesperson Gaurav Gupta strongly condemned the recent statement by the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) opposing the government’s directive to commemorate the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” in educational institutions, terming their objection as unfortunate, misplaced, and disrespectful to the national sentiment.
Gupta asserted that Vande Mataram is not merely a song but a sacred expression of India’s unity, culture, and freedom struggle, which inspired countless revolutionaries to lay down their lives for the nation. “Every citizen of India, irrespective of religion, owes respect to the motherland. Singing or celebrating Vande Mataram is not about religion, it is about patriotism,” he said.
Calling MMU’s statement an attempt to politicize patriotism, Gupta said it was deeply disappointing that certain vested interests continue to view national symbols through the prism of religion. “The song glorifies the land that gives us life—our Bharat Mata. It represents gratitude, not worship, and every Indian should feel pride in it,” he added.
He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ emphasizes respect for all faiths while uniting citizens under the shared emotion of nation-first. “No ideology, however rigid, can stand above the idea of India,” he remarked.
Gupta urged all educational institutions to proudly participate in the commemoration of Vande Mataram’s 150th anniversary and teach students the true meaning of national pride, unity, and inclusivity.
Gupta concluded, “Those who divide patriotism on religious lines insult the sacrifices of freedom fighters who gave their lives chanting Vande Mataram. The spirit of Bharat cannot be silenced by such regressive voices.”