BJP chief Nabin calls Congress the ‘New Muslim League’ over party’s Vande Mataram stance

BJP president Nitin Nabin on Thursday (August 20, 2026) slammed the Congress over its determination to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at their occasions, saying the opposition celebration has grow to be the “new Muslim League” for votes.

Mr. Nabin, in a publish on X in Hindi, stated, “This insult to the sacred invocation of ‘Bharat Mata’ is a disdain for these 1000’s of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation, conserving this very track of their consciousness.”

The BJP chief’s response got here after the Congress Working Committee on Wednesday (August 19) determined to abide by the 1937 decision of its highest decision-making physique on Vande Mataram, saying solely two stanzas of the Nationwide Tune could be sung in any respect celebration occasions henceforth.

“The Congress has now formalised its insult (to Vande Mataram) right into a decision. Its working committee has determined that solely the primary two stanzas of Vande Mataram will likely be sung at Congress boards,” Nabin stated.

He stated, “The Congress has now grow to be the brand new Muslim League right now.”

In a veiled reference to a row over the singing of the complete model of Vande Mataram through the Independence Day occasion on the Congress workplace on August 15, Mr. Nabin stated the identical insult to the nationwide track was mirrored in an “particular person’s conduct” just a few days in the past. Nonetheless, the Congress dismissed it as a “coincidence”.

“At this time, that very insult has grow to be the Congress’s coverage,” the BJP stated, including, “This isn’t merely a political defence, however proof of the starvation for that vote financial institution on the altar of which the Congress has repeatedly mortgaged the nation’s self-respect.”