JAMMU, Dec 10: BJP spokesperson and international affairs convener Gaurav Gupta sharply criticised National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Wednesday for declaring in Parliament that he would “never” sing Vande Mataram, labelling his stance as reflective of a “separatist mindset” unfit for a democratic legislature.
In a statement, Gupta described Mehdi’s position as a “conscious effort to distance himself from India’s national identity,” noting that Indian Muslims have long been integral to the freedom struggle and nation-building. “Indian Muslims fought alongside others for independence. Rejecting symbols that unite 140 crore Indians exposes a separatist outlook, especially from an elected MP,” he said.
Gupta accused Mehdi of consistently injecting “divisive undertones” into his speeches and interviews, which sow discord rather than unity. He stressed that MPs, who enjoy full constitutional privileges, must bolster national cohesion instead of eroding it through provocative rejections of Vande Mataram, calling it not mere dissent but a targeted assault on collective identity.
Targeting Mehdi’s “selective morality,” Gupta argued that questioning national symbols while benefiting from public-funded institutions is hypocritical. “The MP’s oath binds one to India’s sovereignty. Respecting national identity is non-negotiable for citizenship,” he asserted.
Gupta concluded that India’s unity outweighs such provocations, urging elected representatives to avoid rhetoric that promotes separatism or community division for political advantage.
