Sumitra Chattopadhyay, a descendant of 'Vande Mataram' composer Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and a former senior official of the Labour Department, formally joined the BJP in Kolkata on Thursday.
Veteran actor Annu Kapoor welcomed the Union Home Ministry's directive mandating the singing of all six verses of Vande Mataram before the national anthem, calling it a "wonderful decision".
He alleged that the ruling party was attempting to shift focus from substantive debates. "Today, they are raising such issues solely for polarisation, to divert attention, to divert the debate from the agreement with America, and to divert attention from the Epstein files," Rai said.
Congress leader BK Hariprasad on Monday backed Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge over his remarks on the funding of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Kishan told ANI, "Everyone should read those verses. Every youth of the country wants the verses recited at the time of independence to be remembered, and, along with 'Jana Gana Mana', everyone should also memorise Vande Mataram. The youth have welcomed this."
Former India cricketer Rahul Dravid extended his best wishes for the Vande Mataram CISF Coastal Cyclothon-2026. He praised the initiative as an important national effort aimed at promoting coastal security awareness and strengthening national unity.
In an interview with ANI, Owaisi said, "This should not be made a test of loyalty...The way the BJP and RSS are taking forward the nation, it will become a theocratic nation."
Speaking to ANI, Maurya said, "Vande Mataram has been notified in the gazette; now all Indians should sing Vande Mataram as the national song. This is a matter of pride, and I congratulate the Home Minister for this."
Speaking to ANI, Saeed Noori stated that forcing citizens to participate in rituals forbidden by their respective faiths would lead to widespread resentment.
"Arshad Madani should tell his community to strive for better education, healthcare, employment, and participation in the political process, and not to accept slavery," Rajbhar told ANI.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Thursday demanded withdrawl of the Ministry of Home Affairs' notification, mandating the playing of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram before the national anthem at official events.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani on Thursday criticised the Union government's directive to play all six stanzas of Vande Mataram before the national anthem at official events, calling it a "blatant attack on freedom of religion".