Mehbooba Mufti vs BJP: National Anthem Remark, Militarized Nationalism & Political Fallout
By: Javid Amin | 01 October 2025
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has once again set the political stage ablaze with her sharp critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking in Srinagar on Wednesday, October 1, she accused the ruling party of “forcing people to stand up for the national anthem at gunpoint,” calling it an example of “militarized nationalism” and the erosion of democratic freedoms.
Her remarks came a day after more than a dozen young spectators were briefly detained at the TRC Football Ground in Srinagar during the closing ceremony of the J&K Police Martyr’s Memorial Football Tournament, where the national anthem was played. According to reports, the youths were held for not standing up during the anthem—an action that triggered immediate political reactions.
The Incident That Sparked the Row
The controversy began during the football tournament finals, a prestigious annual event organized in memory of fallen J&K police personnel.
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Detentions: Eyewitnesses and local reports confirmed that several spectators were detained after being spotted sitting when the national anthem was played. Police later released them after brief questioning.
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Public Reaction: Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, sparking debate on whether respect for the anthem can or should be enforced through punitive measures.
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Political Sensitivity: In a region with a long and complex relationship with Indian nationalism, the episode struck a raw nerve.
Mehbooba’s Sharp Critique
Reacting swiftly, Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at the BJP government in Srinagar, framing the detentions as symptomatic of a larger authoritarian culture.
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Metaphor of Gunpoint: “The BJP is forcing people to stand up for the national anthem at gunpoint,” she said, clarifying that her use of the phrase was metaphorical. It referred not to literal weapons but to the atmosphere of coercion and fear.
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Voluntary Patriotism: She argued that true respect for national symbols must come from the heart, not from fear of police action. “Patriotism cannot be imposed—it must be felt. The Centre cannot win hearts by intimidation,” she added.
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Appeal to Modi: In an emotional turn, she urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “win the trust of the people of Jammu & Kashmir by dialogue and compassion, not by control and fear.”
BJP’s Response: “Irresponsible & Inflammatory”
The BJP wasted no time in countering Mehbooba’s charges.
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Dismissal of Claims: Party spokespersons dismissed her remarks as “irresponsible, inflammatory, and an insult to the nation.”
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National Unity Argument: The BJP argued that respect for the national anthem is non-negotiable, particularly in a sensitive border region like Kashmir.
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Deflection Charge: Leaders accused Mehbooba of exploiting the incident to regain political relevance amid the statehood and autonomy debates dominating Ladakh and Kashmir politics.
Public Opinion: Split Between Liberty and Loyalty
The public response has been divided, reflecting the deep polarization of politics in the Valley.
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Support for Mehbooba: Civil society activists, some student groups, and PDP loyalists praised her for speaking out against “coerced patriotism,” describing the detentions as heavy-handed.
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Criticism from Nationalists: Many others, including pro-BJP supporters, condemned her remarks as “anti-national rhetoric,” arguing that standing for the anthem is a basic duty of citizenship.
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Middle Ground Voices: Some commentators stressed the need for balance—respecting national symbols without weaponizing them as tools of political conformity.
Broader Context: Nationalism, Democracy, and Kashmir
Mehbooba’s statement goes beyond a single incident, tapping into larger debates in Kashmir and across India.
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Militarized Nationalism: Critics argue that the BJP’s brand of nationalism relies too heavily on force, particularly in sensitive regions like Kashmir.
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Civil Liberties: The detention of youths for symbolic acts has revived concerns about shrinking democratic space in the Union Territory.
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Political Strategy: With assembly sessions and elections approaching, Mehbooba’s comments are also seen as part of her effort to position the PDP as a defender of Kashmiri identity and civil rights.
Global Comparisons
The question of enforced patriotism is not unique to India. Scholars have compared similar debates in:
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United States: Controversy over mandatory Pledge of Allegiance in schools has prompted legal challenges on grounds of freedom of conscience.
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Authoritarian Regimes: In several countries, state-mandated demonstrations of loyalty often provoke resistance and erode legitimacy.
Mehbooba’s framing thus positions her critique within a global discourse on state authority, national symbols, and civil liberties.
Political Implications
Mehbooba’s remarks carry significant political weight in the lead-up to J&K elections:
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Pressure on BJP: The statement puts the central government on the defensive regarding its governance model in Kashmir, particularly its use of security measures to assert control.
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Galvanizing Regional Opposition: Regional parties like PDP and NC may leverage the discourse to consolidate youth and civil society support, emphasizing democratic values and local representation.
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Shaping Public Debate: Beyond party politics, the statement fuels discussions on voluntary vs. coerced patriotism, the role of civil liberties in conflict zones, and the legitimacy of security-driven governance.
Voices from the Ground
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Students: Kashmiri students have echoed Mehbooba’s concerns, highlighting a sense of fear during public events and rituals that mandate allegiance.
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Civil Society Activists: They argue that symbolic coercion, if unchecked, can escalate into wider mistrust of the state and hinder reconciliation efforts.
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Security Officials: Some suggest that visible enforcement of national symbols is a deterrent against unrest, reflecting the tension between security imperatives and civil liberties.
Bottom-Line: A Flashpoint Ahead of Statehood Debate
The anthem row, Mehbooba Mufti’s fiery remarks, and the BJP’s sharp rebuttal have reignited old debates about freedom, patriotism, and governance in Jammu & Kashmir.
For Mehbooba, the metaphor of “gunpoint nationalism” is a way to highlight what she sees as coercive central rule. For the BJP, it is evidence of her “anti-national mindset” and refusal to align with the mainstream.
As the region continues to grapple with demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule protections in Ladakh, and political reconciliation in Kashmir, the episode underscores how even a symbolic act like standing—or not standing—for the anthem can become a battleground for much larger questions about democracy, dignity, and identity.
