Jammu, Aug 18 (KINS): BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania on Tuesday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks against the BJP and the ongoing controversy surrounding Vande Mataram.
Pathania said Vande Mataram is not the property of any political party, including the BJP, but belongs to the people of India.
He accused the Congress of following a politics of “appeasement” and “selective nationalism” and said it was unfortunate that the national song was being dragged into political controversy.
“The position of the Bharatiya Janata Party is very clear. Vande Mataram is not the private property of any political party. It belongs to 140 crore Indians,” Pathania said.
He said no political party had the right to disrespect the national song or cast aspersions on its significance.
Referring to the Independence Day celebrations and the playing of Vande Mataram, Pathania said the nation was trying to reconnect with the history and sacrifices of the freedom struggle.
He also alleged that the Congress was continuing with what he described as a “mindset of appeasement and political accommodation” for electoral gains.
Pathania challenged the Congress to clarify its position on the issue, saying that while the party may not respond, the people of India would give their verdict in due course.(KINS)
