A state minister today equated those who don't chant Bharat Mata ki jai to "sons and daughters of Pakistan", before back-pedalling when he realised that he had sparked a controversy.
Vinod Kumar Singh, the mines and geology department minister in chief minister Nitish Kumar's new cabinet, was speaking at the "Sankalp Sammelan" event organised by the state BJP at SK Memorial Hall to felicitate the party's ministers.
The debutant minister, who was the third speaker at the event, started his speech by asking everyone present to stand up and say Bharat Mata ki jai. There was little response to his call. He then asked whether those who were not standing up would chant "Pakistan ki jai".
The three-time BJP MLA from Katihar's Pranpur added: "Are they (those not standing up) sons and daughters of Pakistan?"
Murmurs rippled through the audience.
He also ordered media persons present: "You members of different media houses should understand that before being journalists you are sons and daughters of Bharat Mata and you should have no qualms in chanting Bharat Mata ki jai."
Many journalists did stand up along with BJP leaders and members.
As the function progressed, members of the BJP's media cell came to know that some television channels had picked up Vinod's remark.
BJP media in-charge Ashok Bhatt rushed to state party president Nityanand Rai, whispering in his ears. Rai immediately beckoned Vinod and whispered in his ear. Minutes before the conclusion of the function, Vinod said from the podium: "I consider media persons as my brothers. If I have uttered anything hurting the sentiments of anyone, I express my regret."
Shoving their version of patriotism down throats has been a leitmotif of the RSS-BJP and their allies in recent months, and their leaders and supporters have been inventing ever-new yardsticks for just who is a "true Indian", branding those who disagree as "anti-national" or ordering them to "go to Pakistan".
The RJD condemned Vinod's statement.
"What BJP and RSS members don't realise is the fact that patriotism and nationalism in India did not ever have any coercive element," said RJD spokesperson Manoj Jha.
"Most of them are ignorant about the evolution of Indian nationalism. Those who love Mother India avoid exhibitionism. Most importantly, one must also understand that a party which tries to weigh others on Bharat Mata ki jai had actually no role in the freedom struggle. Such brazen postures only reveal their desperation to hide their embarrassing position during the anti-colonial struggle."
The chief minister's party was also guarded in its response to the statement from a minister of its new ally.
JDU national general secretary K.C. Tyagi said remarks of only senior BJP leaders such as deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi or Bihar BJP president Rai - and not any other leader - should be taken as the party's official stand.
The rest of the BJP event was marked by BJP ministers highlighting the goals for their respective departments, attacking Lalu Prasad and his party, and declaring that development would accelerate with Nitish Kumar rejoining the NDA. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi promised the state would get the "Rs 1.65 lakh crore package as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi".
