Political Storm Erupts in Indore as Congress Councillors Refuse Vande Mataram, Sparking Ideological War

This inquiry ignited an immediate and furious reaction from BJP councillors, who termed the refusal an insult to national sentiment. Slogans were raised, voices clashed, and the House descended into uproar as the atmosphere turned volatile. In a dramatic move to restore order, Chairman Munnalal Yadav directed Fauzia to leave the House. However, the storm did not end there. Outside the House, the controversy intensified further when Congress councillor Rubina Iqbal made an explosive statement to the media, declaring that they do not bow down to anyone’s bullying, "not even their father’s."

Justifying her stance on religious grounds, Iqbal stated that the singing of Vande Mataram is prohibited in the Islamic faith, though she clarified that this does not mean they refuse to sing "Sare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara." She added that the Quran forbids Vande Mataram because Allah alone is Supreme, noting that "Vande" means to worship and "Mataram" refers to the mother, and as they worship only Allah, they will not worship anyone else. Her comments sent political temperatures soaring as she took a sharp swipe at the ruling party, suggesting that if BJP members do not allow Muslims to set up shops, they should also stop importing oil and gas from Iran.

The internal rift within the Congress also became apparent as Iqbal targeted her own party leadership. She remarked that in her third term, she has seen a Chairman who remains completely silent for the first time, punctuated by her statement, "To hell with the Congress party—they treat Muslims merely as a vote bank." In a stunning political threat, she declared that if the Congress expels them, they will contest as independent candidates and win, or potentially join Asaduddin Owaisi’s party. Meanwhile, the BJP has refused to back down, with party leaders indicating that an FIR will be filed following consultations between Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and Chairman Munnalal Yadav.

BJP city president Sumit Mishra launched a blistering attack by invoking history, noting that Vande Mataram was first sung at a Congress convention during the freedom struggle and was embraced by Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev. He emphasized that even As

hfaqulla Khan went to the gallows with Vande Mataram on his lips. This controversy has triggered sharp divisions within the Congress itself, with spokesperson KK Mishra launching an unusually harsh attack, stating that those who cannot fulfill their national duty or recite Vande Mataram "can go to hell" and "go and settle in Pakistan." Mishra characterized Rubina Iqbal's remarks as "political blackmail" and alleged the move was calculated in collusion with the BJP, urging the party to skip a notice and proceed directly to expulsion for insulting the freedom movement and Muslim soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.