Archive · 21 Aug 2026
BJP Leader Defends Vande Mataram, Attacks Sonia Gandhi
A.P. Abdullakutty, a BJP leader, spoke in favor of the song Vande Mataram.
He said it is wrong to claim that the song is against Muslims.
He argued that Indian Muslims can respect their religion and show love for their country.
He also said the song was sung by Abul Kalam Azad, a respected Islamic scholar.
Abdullakutty accused Congress of treating the song as a divisive issue.
He criticised Sonia Gandhi over her alleged objections to singing the full song.
The BJP organised protests across Kerala because the song was left out of official Independence Day events.
Abdullakutty also made corruption allegations against two Kerala political leaders.
A.P. Abdullakutty rejected claims that Vande Mataram conflicts with Muslim religious beliefs.
He said patriotism and respect for India are compatible with the faith of Indian Muslims.
Abdullakutty accused Congress of using the song to promote divisive politics and criticised Sonia Gandhi.
The BJP held Vande Mataram Sadas demonstrations across Kerala over the song’s omission from official Independence Day celebrations.
He also alleged corruption involving Muhammad Riyas and Pinarayi Vijayan, without providing evidence in the report.
- Who
- BJP former National Vice-President A.P. Abdullakutty, Congress, Sonia Gandhi, and Kerala political leaders including Muhammad Riyas and Pinarayi Vijayan.
- What
- Abdullakutty defended Vande Mataram, criticised Congress and Sonia Gandhi, and made allegations against Muhammad Riyas and Pinarayi Vijayan.
- When
- Friday, during BJP-organised Vande Mataram Sadas demonstrations.
- Where
- Across district headquarters in Kerala, including Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- The BJP protests targeted the Kerala government over omitting Vande Mataram from official Independence Day celebrations.
BJP’s Position
Congress and Government Criticism
Religious compatibility of Vande Mataram
BJP’s Position
Abdullakutty said claims that Vande Mataram violates Muslim beliefs are absurd and misleading, arguing that Indian Muslims can sing the song while remaining faithful to Islam.
Congress and Government Criticism
The article says Congress has argued that Vande Mataram is against the faith of Muslims.
Political meaning of the song
BJP’s Position
Abdullakutty accused Congress of reviving a divisive approach associated with the partition-era debate over Vande Mataram.
Congress and Government Criticism
The article reports Congress’s position on the song but does not provide its response to Abdullakutty’s historical comparison.
Official Independence Day celebrations
BJP’s Position
The BJP protested the Kerala government’s omission of Vande Mataram from official Independence Day celebrations.
Congress and Government Criticism
The article reports the omission and BJP criticism but does not state the Kerala government’s explanation or response.
- Speaker
- A.P. Abdullakutty, former National Vice-President of the BJP
- Main issue
- Whether Vande Mataram conflicts with the religious beliefs of Muslims
- BJP position
- Abdullakutty said patriotism and respect for the motherland are compatible with the faith of Indian Muslims
- Historical reference
- Abdullakutty cited Abul Kalam Azad as a prominent Islamic scholar who sang Vande Mataram
- Protests
- The BJP organised Vande Mataram Sadas demonstrations at district headquarters across Kerala
- Kerala government criticism
- The demonstrations targeted the omission of Vande Mataram from official Independence Day celebrations
- Additional allegations
- Abdullakutty accused Muhammad Riyas of corruption and alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan assigned him major responsibilities to facilitate corruption