Owaisi Challenges BJP on ‘Vande Mataram’ Debate: “We Don’t Need Loyalty Certificates”

New Delhi: During a heated debate in the Lok Sabha on Vande Mataram, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi took a strong stance against attempts to equate patriotism with compulsory displays of loyalty. He argued that India gained independence because “we never merged religion with the nation,” urging lawmakers not to enforce patriotic rituals as a test of allegiance.

“Patriotism Should Tackle Poverty, Not Become a Loyalty Test”

Owaisi criticized those who had no role in the freedom struggle but now claim moral authority to define patriotism. “If you want to show patriotism, work to eradicate poverty,” he said. Targeting the BJP, he questioned whether the party intended to make Vande Mataram a “test of loyalty,” emphasizing that forcing it upon citizens would violate the Constitution.

Religious Perspective on Forced Patriotism

Addressing the mandatory recitation of Vande Mataram, Owaisi highlighted Islamic principles, stating: “In Islam, there is no deity but Allah. We do not worship our mothers or the Quran; we worship Allah alone.” He warned against conflating religious identity with nationalism, asserting, “The nation is mine, and we will never abandon it… do not ask us for loyalty certificates.”

Other Parliamentary Voices

• Tejashwi Surya (BJP): Argued that the debate is necessary for the youth to learn from historical mistakes. He criticized Congress’s appeasement politics, referencing the Shah Bano case and ongoing resistance to the Uniform Civil Code and voter roll reforms.
• Ikra Chaudhary (SP): Called for understanding the true spirit of Vande Mataram, linking patriotism to environmental and farmer issues. She highlighted pollution in the Yamuna, questioning the effectiveness of large-scale projects like Namami Gange and the air quality crisis in Delhi.
• Rajesh Ranjan aka Pappu Yadav (Independent): Questioned the BJP on its historical record, asking why the national flag was not prominently displayed for 53 years and why Vande Mataram was not sung in its organizations.
• Priya Saroj (SP): Urged the government not to reduce nationalism to a performative act.

A Broader Message

Owaisi’s intervention reflects a growing parliamentary debate on the balance between patriotism and individual rights, emphasizing that national devotion should not become a coercive ritual. His message is clear: love for the nation cannot be quantified or certified—it must be reflected in action, policy, and inclusivity, not in mandatory chants or displays.