Kerala: BJP challenges CM Pinarayi Vijayan over ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ slogan amid anti-CAA speech controversy

In a bold challenge to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, BJP spokesman Sandeep Vachaspati questioned whether the CM would dare to raise the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” at least once. The challenge comes in response to Pinarayi’s recent anti-CAA speech in Malappuram, where he questioned the origin of the patriotic slogan, suggesting it was coined by a Muslim leader. The BJP spokesman posed a series of pointed questions to CM Pinarayi, challenging him on various fronts:

• Does Pinarayi and his party recognise Bharat as the mother, i.e., Bharat Mata?
• Do they respect Maharshi Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj, the sources of inspiration for Aseemullah Khan?
• Is Pinarayi willing to raise the slogan ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ at least once in his life, as a token of his purported ‘love towards Muslims’?
• Will he demonstrate the courage to do so, acknowledging the significance of the slogan to Aseemullah Khan’s spirit?

These questions hold significance against the backdrop of the BJP’s formal complaints to various electoral bodies against Pinarayi’s speech in Malappuram. The BJP alleges that the CM’s remarks were aimed at creating division between Hindus and Muslims, prompting the party to contemplate legal action.

Vachaspati’s challenge, delivered during a fiery speech, invoked the legacy of Aseemulla Khan, who is credited with coining the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” He asserted that every patriot, regardless of religion or politics, has a duty to honour and praise Bharat Mata, the motherland.

The BJP spokesman criticized Pinarayi’s suggestion that the BJP might consider banning the slogan due to its Muslim origins, emphasizing that patriotic slogans and songs should be embraced by all, irrespective of their religious or political affiliations. He reaffirmed the commitment of Sangh-inspired organisations to propagate patriotic ideals with sincerity and dedication.

Vachaspati further clarified that the BJP does not harbour suspicions about the patriotism of Muslims, acknowledging the shared struggle of Hindus and Muslims in India’s freedom movement. He stressed that love for the motherland transcends religious boundaries and is a fundamental duty of every Indian citizen.