As India marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, political celebration has reignited long-standing objections from Muslims and other minorities. The debate highlights tensions between religious conscience, historical memory, and the risk of imposing majoritarian symbols as tests of national loyalty.
A video showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling Dr Nusrat Parveen’s veil during an official event has sparked constitutional concern. Critics say the act violated bodily autonomy, dignity, and Article 21, raising questions about state restraint, consent, and the limits of executive power in a democracy.